President Hakainde Hichilema has encouraged young people to take up farming at an early stage.
President Hichilema counseled young people not to see agriculture as a venture for backward people.
The Head of State explains that by venturing in agriculture young people can employ themselves and earn a decent living.
The media reports that President Hichilema said this during a Special Convocation, where he was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Agribusiness by Mulungushi University.
President Hichilema said young people will appreciate it once they take up farming for a livelihood, as it is beneficial.
“I want to say this message to young people. Do not see agriculture as backwards, when you learn how to employ yourself, you will appreciate it, you will even want your age to be pulled back,” he said.
President Hichilema recounted that he started farming as a young boy which helped to shape him into what he is today.
The Head of State advised young people against taking up farming when they retire.
He pointed out that retirement should be used to consolidate gains attained over the years.
“We started farming as boys. And along the way, we improve the things that we do. You can’t say when I retire, ” he said.
President Hichilema said many people regret having started farming late in life, after learning how lucrative agriculture is as a business venture.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has thanked Munlungshi University for awarding him with an honorary award in agribusiness.
President Hichilema said he received the Honorary Doctorate Degree in agribusiness with deep appreciation and gratitude to the University.
“I want to offer my gratitude and appreciation, I am deeply humbled, to receive this honorary doctorate,” he said.
President Hichilema has since dedicated the honorary doctorate degree conferred on him to the farming community.
He stressed that framers play a crucial role in feeding the nation hence his decision to dedicate the honorary degree to the farming community.
“I dedicate this Honorary Degree to Zambia’s hard working farmers, who feed our people,” he said.
President Hichilema stressed that agriculture should not be the last resort but a venture that should be given a priority.
“Agriculture is not the last thing we should think of,” he said.
The Head of State urged the public to refrain from telling young people that agriculture is for the less intelligent in society.
“Let us not tell our young people that agriculture is for the less intelligent. No,” he said.
President Hichilema added that agriculture is not for retired people but for the young and energetic, adding that young people should take it up at an early stage.
“Agricultures for the retired. No. When we’re young, that’s when we should have started farming, “he said.
He hinted that some people through agriculture have managed to educate their children and support their families respectively.
Speaking , earlier during a Special Convocation Ceremony, Munlungushi University Vice Chancellor Royson Mukwena said the University decided to confer the honorary doctorate on President Hichilema due to his lifelong dedication to agribusiness, education and national development
Professor Mukwena said President Hichilema’s professional success, coupled with his strong advocates for education and human capital development, merits him as a deserving recipient of the Honorary Agribusiness Doctorate.
