LocationsSustainable Agribusiness: A Catalyst for Youth Empowerment
October 14, 2023
Amidst Africa’s verdant landscapes, an agricultural awakening is underway – one that offers the promise of prosperity and opportunities, especially for youth.
Africa is a powerhouse of agricultural potential. As Feed Africa reveals, the continent is home to 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, representing a significant capacity for agricultural expansion. Diverse climates and ecosystems across the continent allow for the cultivation of everything from staple grains like maize and rice to cash crops like cocoa, coffee, and cotton.
Forecasts from the African Development Bank (AfDB) indicate that by 2030, Africa’s agribusiness sector could be worth a staggering US$1 trillion, and with increased investments, the sector could be the ticket to creating more jobs and alleviating poverty for many in the region. In West and Central Africa, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) notes that up to 80% of the population depends on agriculture as a source of livelihood, with the sector contributing between 30 to 50% to most countries' Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Yet, challenges loom. Many budding agricultural entrepreneurs, particularly young entrepreneurs, grapple with hurdles like limited access to capital, markets and expertise.
The Songhai Centre Training Programme
In recognition of this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Songhai Centre and its partners, launched a robust training programme tailored for 31 young entrepreneurs from West and Central Africa in November 2022. This intensive month-long curriculum focused on vegetable and poultry production, agroforestry and aquaculture.
Months later, success stories are springing up across the region. Take Niandou Mamane Moctar, from Niger, for instance. Following the training, Niandou founded Bio du Sahel, an integrated farm that combines fish farming, poultry, and vegetable farming. “This training enabled me to enhance my technical skills in poultry farming, organic agriculture, and integrated systems across sections,” he declares. “My project isn't just agricultural; it's also a social transformation project. It offers solutions to multiple challenges my country faces, such as environmental degradation, food security issues, and unemployment.”
"This training enabled me to enhance my technical skills in poultry farming, organic agriculture, and integrated systems across sections."Niandou Mamane Moctar, Niger
Echoing this sentiment, Togo’s Able Akossiwa Mawougno is transforming her poultry business. “At Songhai, my primary concern was finding a solution to increase the egg-laying and hatching rate in turkeys and ducks. On this front, my expectations were met, and I realized that turkeys and ducks need just a simple dietary composition to lay eggs efficiently. Now, I plan to move from my small farm to a bigger one, allowing me to apply the integrated system I observed at Songhai,” shares Able, founder of Ma Passion.
"Now, I plan to move from my small farm to a bigger one, allowing me to apply the integrated system I observed at Songhai."Able Akossiwa Mawougno, Togo
From Liberia, Kerkula King, promoter of Green Future Agribusiness Incorporated, is integrating community engagement into his agricultural venture. “Since returning from the Songhai Centre, I've incorporated bell pepper, cucumber, and okra farming into my activities. I'm also training 20 young people, 12 of whom are women, in vegetable production using my farmland. We began in March 2023 and plan to conclude successfully by May 2023,” he shares with pride.
"Since returning from the Songhai Centre, I've incorporated bell pepper, cucumber, and okra farming into my activities."Kerkula King, Liberia
The Road Ahead
These stories underline some of the region’s agricultural promise. But to fully unlock this potential, a multi-pronged approach comprising comprehensive training, innovation, markets and financial accessibility, favourable policies and strategic rural investments is needed.
However, more than anything, it is about attracting young people to agriculture and investing in them. The region’s youthful population provides a formidable workforce for the sector, presenting an opportunity to transform subsistence farming into commercially viable enterprises and help address pressing issues in the region.
Together, by championing initiatives like the Songhai Centre Programme, we can secure sustainable agribusiness as the beating heart of the region’s socio-economic resurgence and build a prosperous and sustainable future for the region.
