ZimTrade has intensified efforts to build a new generation of export-ready agribusiness entrepreneurs, hosting the inaugural Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge Season 2 training workshop in Mutare as part of a strategy to position youth-led enterprises for success in international markets.
The three-day intensive training programme, which ran from June 10 to June 12 for the Manicaland cohort, brought together aspiring young agripreneurs for practical training focused on export competitiveness, market access and business growth.
In a statement on Saturday, ZimTrade said the initiative underscores its commitment to nurturing youth-led agribusinesses capable of competing on the global stage.
“ZimTrade hosted the inaugural Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge Season 2 training workshop in Mutare for the Manicaland cohort, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing youth-led agribusinesses to excel on international markets,” the trade development and promotion organisation said.
According to ZimTrade, the training programme was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to transition from local producers to export-oriented entrepreneurs.
“The intensive three-day training programme focused on practical, exporter-focused strategies designed to enhance export competitiveness, build sustainable capacity, and ensure the participants are fully export-ready to access global value chains,” the organisation said.
ZimTrade noted that while many young entrepreneurs have innovative agricultural business ideas, a significant number face challenges in meeting international market requirements, understanding export procedures and developing products that can compete globally.
The organisation said the Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge seeks to bridge that gap by exposing participants to export standards, quality assurance requirements, market intelligence, branding, packaging and business management skills that are essential for success in foreign markets.
“Through exporter-focused strategies, the programme seeks to enhance export competitiveness and build sustainable capacity among youth-led agribusinesses,” ZimTrade said.
ZimTrade added that preparing participants to access global value chains remains a key objective of the programme.
“Ensuring participants are fully export-ready to access global value chains is at the centre of this training initiative,” the organisation said.
The initiative aligns with national efforts to empower young people to become active contributors to Zimbabwe’s export growth while supporting rural industrialisation and value addition within the agricultural sector.
Youth participation in agribusiness remains one of the most effective pathways to tackling unemployment while increasing productivity and innovation in agriculture. By equipping young entrepreneurs with export knowledge and market linkages, programmes such as the Eagle’s Nest Agri-Challenge can help transform small enterprises into commercially viable businesses capable of generating foreign currency earnings.
