Over the years, a large rural population has left their homes in the remote areas and made their way into the bustling urban areas.

By doing so, they left behind a life many of them have come to know as being the only form of existence for years, a life their grandparents had carved out for them as future generations. They left behind their land for the worms to feed on.

If only a few of them knew how to turn this land into profitable agribusinesses that would sustain them; they would have not seen the need to migrate.

 Let's face it: life in the bigger urban centres has been anything but rosy.

When they meet the bright lights of the cities and are forced to commute to their would-be homes; they are stuck with the first reality of life in the cities – paying your way to get around.

But the prospects or rather hope of finding a job and having a future in the city is all too beckoning – so they stay on.

 Days and years go by but they remain jobless. By now, reality has hit; life is no bed of roses in the big cities. So, akin to a person lost in the jungle, who arrogantly elects to go deeper into the forest for a chance of a hunt as opposed to turning around, they stay on.

Here, they live in abject poverty that makes it even difficult for them to return home to their villages if they choose to. They have got pride and costly egos to protect; it's understandable.

 The inverse of this, however, is that if young, gifted individuals stay in the rural areas and work their land, they would face a better future than on the narrow corridor-like streets of Havana, Tulinawa, DRC or Kanaan.

Making optimum use of the land for agriculture production would not only put food on their tables but could also earn them a few coins in their pockets.

 Of course, this option, just like anything in life, is also not without challenges.

 The rains don't come as they used to. The land is often barren and infertile to launch a business – then comes to the challenges of transport and securing a feasible market for your produce.

Yes, it is indeed a mountain to climb, but a mountain is no higher than a hill if you aim to reach the summit.

Keep working the land; it pays off eventually.

 I have profiled several young people making a name for themselves whilst operating on limited resources here in AgriToday.

It is indeed a possibility and surely within reach – whether it's a small vegetable garden, chicken farming or even a goat rearing enterprise, business is business;

just get started.

 Water in the rural areas is cheaper; there is a bit more land to experiment with and the cost of living is way low, compared to the cities; thus, making a living for yourself here would be fairly easy.

The tides have turned; working an 08h00 to 17h00 no longer guarantees success. You have to give more than that to even just get through the day.

 Whilst advocating for this option, I am also not blind to the fact that it is a challenging move. As such, line ministries ought to take a critical look at how they could assist people who would venture into undertakings such as the ones mentioned here.

Support them with seeds or seedlings to start up; give them access to the market by encouraging retailers to buy local through legislation, etc.

 For those who are already on this path, keep moving; you are on the right path. Never relent; never tire.

 - tjatindi@gmail.com