Prisca Manyiwa-Masuku
The Government of Zimbabwe has chosen DCK Farm in Kwekwe as the National learning center or Youth Incubation Centre for the young people who want to venture into the agricultural business.
Speaking during the official launch of the Midlands Youth Incubation Centre at DCK farm in Kwekwe, Minister of Lands Agriculture Fisheries Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka commended DCK proprietor Mr Douglas Kwande for standing out as a leader in the agricultural sector.
“Youths must regard agriculture as a business, through practical exposure, experience and interactions with others, DCK farm has risen from its humble beginnings, demonstrating what unflinching focus and perseverance can produce if agriculture is treated as a business,” said Masuka.
Douglas Kwande popularly known as DCK in the business circles is a youthful farmer who has risen to greater heights by treating his farming as a business.
From humble beginnings, Kwande has become a role model for the youths.
“I suffered some years ago before I was allocated this farm through the help of President Mnangagwa when he was still the Vice President.
“With a herd of 3000 cattle, I used to rent for space to keep my cattle in Somabula until I met our President and I told him my predicament at that time. He facilitated for me to get this land here and I relocated to this place whilst the papers were still being processed.
“When I came here I was into livestock farming but I then realized that I can also venture into crop production at this same place because there is space,” said Kwande.
Out of resilience and perseverance, Kwande now owns a thriving 750-hectare farm under irrigation and thousands of cattle.
As a successful farmer and businessperson, Kwande processes his agricultural produce into other products in the agriculture value chain which he then sells in his shops thereby taking the final product to the market. He is also looking forward to becoming a thriving wheat producer.
“When I relocated here the place was a forest but I managed to clear the land and purchase some equipment. I am also looking forward to having about 80 centre pivot irrigation systems to begin wheat production at a large scale,” said Kwande.
