Jefta Sibanda is a male youth aged 23 residing in ward 11 Chikombedzi, Chiredzi South in Zimbabwe. Jefta completed his O`level studies 5 years ago and became an unemployed youth with limited economic opportunities. During his school going days Jefta had watched his mother growing vegetables in their backyard for sale at the local market and this childhood experience inspired him to venture into farming despite limited his knowledge in agriculture. Jefta decided to consult the local AGRITEX extension officer who encouraged him to join the LDS Community Learning and Demonstration Center (CLDC) funded under DKH.

At the center Jefta received practical trainings on fish farming, financial management and record keeping, horticultural production, climate smart agriculture practices as well as irrigation innovations that save water such as drip irrigation. Armed with the requisite knowledge Jefta approached his family for financial support to establish his projects in horticulture and fish farming. Jefta now grows cabbages, tomatoes, sugar beans, butternuts, onions and green mealies in rotation on a 2ha plot owned by his family which he supplies to boarding schools and the local market in Chiredzi and Mwenezi Districts. He earns UDS500-600 per month which has allowed him acquire assets such as drip irrigation kit covering 2ha, tools, seeds and chemicals.

The project has improved his household’s food security, income security, upgraded his standard of living and improved his social status in the community. He employs one worker to assist him at his plot. Jefta is now a married and responsible young man and the income he makes from the project is enough for him to take care of his young family, father and siblings. He has become a model for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship inspiring other youths to explore alternative livelihoods other than irregular migration to neighboring South Africa.