A Karonga-based visionary youth, Richard Kumwenda is on course to achieve success after he ventured into commercial rice farming.
Kumwenda, aged 30, owns a two-acre field which he uses to cultivate rice during dry season.
The youthful agriprenuer, based in Kambitoto Village inTraditional Authority Kyungu has indicated that he decided to venture into entrepreneurship after failing to secure formal employment.
“I ventured into farming seven years ago after growing tired with significant struggles our family was facing in meeting daily needs,” he said.
Kumwenda said together with his peers, he diverted water from Rukuru River and started his irrigation farm several years ago.
“It slowly started paying off as I could manage to harvest several bags of rice per year,” said Kumwenda.
The agri-prenuer, who is also a Third Year Physics Education student at the University of Malawi (UNIMA) uses part of the profits he get from the farming venture to pay for his rentals and food at school.
“I stay off-campus and a lot of money is required for someone to support himself and as such, my farming venture really assists me a lot,” he added.
Kumwenda plans to scale up production and employ several individuals once he completes his studies.
His exploits compelled the state-owned National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to give him a loan aimed at boosting his production capacity.
“As NEEF, we decided to support Richard because he has a mentality of a youth who is ready to overcome challenges,” said NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni.
