An Article on factors to consider when formulating youth in Agriculture policies in Africa.

Introduction

Agriculture remains the backbone of many African countries as it employs 65% of Africa’s labour force and accounts for 32% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Following the commitment by many African countries in developing the Agricultural sector, the contribution of the sector to GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed a growth from 2.3% per year in the 1980s to 3.8% per year from the year 2000 to 2005.

Owing to the immense contribution of Agriculture to Africa’s development with the sector offering poverty reduction opportunities to the continents increasing population, it remains essential for the continents growth and development as Africa strives towards achieving the millennium development goal of halving poverty by 2015.

It is in this regard that the formulation and implementation of impact oriented youth in Agriculture policies in Africa is important in developing a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector that is able to actively engage Africa’s youth in to Agriculture. These policy initiatives will contribute significantly in curtailing the surging youth unemployment in Africa; as it addresses the continents challenge of an aging farmer population and an inefficient youth in Agriculture sector.

Factors to consider when formulating youth in Agriculture policies in Africa.

Interventions geared towards developing a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector in Africa remains a daunting challenge owing to the unattractive brand of the sector over the years.

Agricultural policy interventions aimed at accelerating the growth of Africa’s Agricultural sector therefore ought to be innovatively formulated to address the underlying bottlenecks in actively engaging Africa’s youth in Agriculture; to enable them propel the much needed development in Africa’s Agriculture.

Following the rich experience of the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) in championing youth in Agriculture development in Ghana and Africa at large, the following are some factors that SavaNet considers relevant in the formulation of youth in Agriculture policies that ensures the development of a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector in Africa:

The Institution of practically oriented Agricultural training schemes for young Agricultural entrepreneurs: Africa’s quest to accelerate its Agricultural development will require the formulation and implementation of innovative Agricultural policies that ensures the institution of practically oriented Agricultural training schemes to nurture young Agricultural entrepreneurs across the Agricultural value chain.

Following the fact that the practice of modern Agriculture has transcended the traditional practice of farming passed on from generations to generations, it is imperative for African governments to formulate impact oriented youth in Agriculture policies to provide cutting edge interventions in developing a modern Agriculture sector in Africa with the youth as drivers of change.

These cutting edge interventions should include the implementation of impact oriented and results driven youth in Agriculture programmes that offer wide range opportunities for the African youth to receive practical training in Agriculture.

The design of these youth in Agriculture development programmes should include young farmers training stations that are equipped with state of the art facilities to offer practical oriented training in Agriculture for the youth.

Practical Agricultural training schemes at these young farmers training stations should include trainings on: land selection for Agricultural production, developing farm calendars, farm budgeting, ICT4Ag, best Agronomic practices, introduction to Agricultural entomology, introduction to Agricultural pathology, Agricultural value chain facilitation/development, Agricultural marketing, Agricultural financing, post harvest handling etc.

These practical training activities will equip the African youth with the requisite knowledge and skills to become successful Agricultural entrepreneurs across the Agricultural value chain, with the establishment of viable Agribusinesses to contribute in addressing the continents rising youth unemployment.

Africa’s commitment in this regard will accelerate its Agricultural growth and development to enable the continent feed its increasing population and increase the sectors contribution to GDP for national development.

The establishment of young Agricultural entrepreneurs finance support schemes: the challenge of many young Agricultural entrepreneurs in Africa in accessing the needed funding to adequately finance their Agricultural enterprises continue to militate against the ability of the continents young Agricultural entrepreneurs to actively engage in Agriculture as a sustainable livelihood.

Following the increasing effect of this challenge, it is essential for African countries to formulate Agricultural policies that ensure the implementation of innovative young Agricultural entrepreneurs finance support schemes.

Policy formulation surrounding young Agricultural entrepreneurs finance support schemes should include interventions such as: revolving fund for startup Agribusinesses, favorable lending rates for young Agricultural entrepreneurs, attractive Agribusiness insurance packages for Agribusinesses by young Agricultural entrepreneurs, special banking products for young Agricultural entrepreneurs, financial education etc.

Following the vital role that young Agricultural entrepreneurs finance support schemes play in developing a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector, the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) recommends the implementation of  these schemes in Africa to propel the continents Agricultural development.

The development of young farmer networks: farmer networks are well organized and coordinated organizations committed to establishing the needed cooperation between farmers and other stakeholders in the Agriculture sector for accelerated Agricultural development.

Following the essential role that farmer networks play in Agricultural development, it is increasingly important for African governments to implement strategic Agricultural policies that favour the establishment and development of vibrant young farmer networks to provide the African young farmer a suitable platform to establish, nurture and develop viable Agribusinesses across the Agricultural value chain.

SavaNet Champions youth in 

Agriculture development in

Ghana and Africa at large.

Agricultural policies directed towards establishing and developing young farmer networks should include initiatives centered on: developing primary, secondary and tertiary farmer organizations, facilitate Agricultural value chain development, practical skills training on Agriculture, capacity development on group dynamics, providing young farmers an active voice etc.

It is in this regard that the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) is working towards promoting accelerated Agricultural development in Ghana and other African countries through the development of a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector; with the requisite capacity development to enable young Agricultural entrepreneurs spearhead productivity across the Agricultural value chain.

SavaNet therefore call son African countries to formulate impact oriented Agricultural policies with innovative initiatives to ensure the development of vibrant young farmer networks to lead Africa’s drive at developing its Agriculture sector.

The development of an efficient ICT4Ag sector: with the penetration rate of mobile subscription over 60% in Africa and the continents mobile use second to Asia, ICT is indeed driving a new revolution in the continents Agricultural development as technology offers a potential increase of $48 billion in Agricultural income in Africa.

ICT therefore serves as a springboard for accelerated Agricultural development in Africa with the potential of increasing the continents Agricultural production for a secured food security.Following the immense contribution and prospects of ICT in propelling Africa’s Agricultural development, it is important for African countries to implement strategic ICT4Ag policies aimed at promoting the development of a vibrant ICT4Ag sector in Africa.

ICTs are driving

a new revolution

in Africa.

The development of an efficient ICT4Ag sector in Africa will facilitate in the development of a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector, as the application of various ICT innovations by young African farmers will enable them practice precision Agriculture with improved access to: Agricultural extension services, market information, weather forecast, GPS information, farm budgeting and analysis, Agricultural financing etc.

The engagement of the African youth in developing ICT4Ag applications as well as the  ability of the African young farmer to utilize these applications in their Agricultural activities will contribute significantly in curtailing Africa’s surging youth unemployment and promote its Agricultural development.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) therefore calls on African countries and institutions to implement innovative Agricultural policies that are committed to: instituting practically oriented Agricultural training schemes for young Agricultural entrepreneurs, the establishment of young Agricultural entrepreneurs finance support schemes, the development of young farmer networks as well as in developing an efficient ICT4Ag sector in Africa.

These essential factors when considered during the formulation of youth in Agriculture policies will contribute significantly in developing a vibrant youth in Agriculture sector in Africa to propel the continents Agricultural development.