Comments on: How to Increase Africa’s Youth Interest and Engagement In Agriculture

By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 19:29:35 +0000

In reply to PRINCESS EZEUZOH. I really like the part that suggests partnerships. Thank you, Princess.

By: PRINCESS EZEUZOH

PRINCESS EZEUZOH — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 18:57:17 +0000

In reply to Joseph Kwesi Sarpong. You are very correct , the incentives to attract youths into Agriculture is far and in between. I went into poultry and nearly became a beggar. I love agriculture because I know that a full stomach can endure anything. I suggest Africa should partner the experts and emulate them. The Israeli people have the answer having gone through so much in their chequered history and conquered food production in their saline land despite all other challenges. Let's copy the kitbuzz method where a group of youths form a cooperative given land, farming imp!ements, trainings and extension officers to direct them. This way the method can help a lot with sufficient food and provide employment and curb crimes.

By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 10:09:40 +0000

In reply to Medhat Shaban. Very helpful addition. To add to your point, agriculture should be part of a person's upbringing in the home and society.

By: Medhat Shaban

Medhat Shaban — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 05:29:19 +0000

Participation – Importance – Love – Attractive business environment
To show them the objectives of the farm and how their role to achieve those goals are important
Youth activities should be provided within farms and companies, such as playgrounds, trip and discussion rooms for youth-related topics
Also provide gifts and prizes to the distinguished in their work
Pay attention to their families and villages
That is, the workplace becomes a social and recreational activity after working hours
Good Luck

By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 20:48:11 +0000

In reply to David O.. David, the nail right on the head with your very elaborate points. I very much agree with you especially on the use of outdated data. Upon this, millions of dollars have been channelled into interventions that only recycle the challenges of agriculture in Africa. If I may, how would you suggest we get leadership, the people and all concerned to cause this needed change?

By: David O.

David O. — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 17:19:34 +0000

The problem with youth in agriculture stems from the poor perception of who farmers of today should be. Across Africa, the standard model of poor, illiterate, peasant, subsistent and rural farmers is the crux of the problem. Based on this paradigm, all planning, investments and resources are aimed at supporting the target demographic with seeds, fertilisers and extension support to increase production. Noble as the aims may be, this approach is also an albatross across the neck of agricultural development.
I will explain why:
1. The notion that 65-70% of the population is agrarian, is an outdated statistic that hasn’t been reviewed for decades. Realistically, I will estimate less than 30% OF THE POPULATION will describe themselves as full-time farmers.
This wrong data leads many of our development programmes to aim at raising millions out of abject poverty, rather than making the sector a viable business option for a smaller number of educated, rural/non-rural, youth who choose farming as a sound business venture and produce in huge volumes.
Rarely is the demographic of urban, educated youth considered as a group that can change the face of agriculture. Educated youth with sound agricultural training will need far less direction and control.
2. More often than not, subsidies lead to bumper harvests and subsequent gluts. Lack of knowledge about innovations and technology in storage and processing means that most production goes to waste and even more poverty. Well trained agriculturists can ensure that most of their produce is processed and stored until the market conditions are right.
3. Adaptation of technology will reduce the labour intensive husbandry practices to maximise efficiency . All savings of time, costs and waste will improve the return on investment to make farming more attractive to the urban youth.
I am not advocating the abandonment of peasant farmers for educated youth. I propose a two-pronged approach the will allocate as much as 50% of resources to the latter group. THEY MAY BE SMALLER IN NUMBER BUT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING our fortunes within a decade.
They will have better data, attract more investment, more accountability , more innovation, more efficiency, less dependent on extension advice, less vulnerable and more profitable.
Many experts are dismissive of this approach; but in truth, it’s never been tried. The current paradigm has invested billions of dollars and prevailed for over half a century but the results are nothing but mediocre. Its obviously not working so a new approach is justified.

By: K. Afrane Okese

K. Afrane Okese — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 06:33:05 +0000

In reply to Joseph Kwesi Sarpong.

Excellent point, Joseph.
The current state of agriculture in Africa and challenges make it quite difficult for the youth to enter and excel.
A number are making it, however, if conditions were better, Agriculture would probably be one of the top jobs the youth will go for without hesitation. That is exactly what we are advocating for and your points say it all. Thank you.

By: Joseph Kwesi Sarpong

Joseph Kwesi Sarpong — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 05:50:24 +0000

It is wrong in the first place to think that the youth are not interested in Agriculture. The biggest challenge has been that agriculture has not been made attractive to the youth. What are the training opportunities in agriculture to attract the youth and especially the young girl to take up agriculture as a professional. What are the career pathways? There are no structured interventions and or opportunities to develop the youth in agriculture. Most of these interventions especially by development partners are short term, ad hoc and not sustainable. I have seen youth taking up agriculture as a professional on their own and doing very well…