KAMPALA, UGANDA – AGRA Africa has launched an ambitious program aimed at creating 1.5 million jobs for young farmers in Africa. The initiative, launched in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, seeks to empower young people to take up agriculture as a viable business opportunity.
According to Dr. Jeremiah Rogito, a leading expert on climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture, “By providing young people with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed, we can unlock a new era of innovation and productivity in agriculture.”
Dr. Rogito emphasized that “The future of food and agriculture in Uganda depends on our ability to empower young people to take up agriculture as a viable business opportunity. We must work together to create an enabling environment that supports youth entrepreneurship and innovation in agriculture.”
The program, known as the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Agriculture (YEFFA), has already gained momentum in Ghana and Rwanda and is currently underway in Uganda. It will soon be extended to Kenya and Ethiopia, with the goal of amplifying the voices of young people on climate action in Africa and using their input to inform global engagement and policy change.
Dr. Rogito noted that “In our five-year transformative journey with the Mastercard Foundation, we aim to create 1.5 million dignified jobs in Africa. This can be achieved by engaging young people in various agricultural value chain activities. We look forward to reaching out to over 10 million youth in Africa.”
Dr. Rogito stated that “All these voices will be consolidated into regional voices and brought together at the Africa Food System Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2nd to 6th. We aim to amplify the voices of youth, highlighting what they need to see happen in terms of climate action on the continent. We will use these voices to inform global engagement, such as COP29, to drive policy changes that favor youth in agriculture.”
Dr. Sharon Mbabazi Tusiime, Programs Officer for AGRA Africa, highlighted the importance of engaging youth in modern technological means to improve farming practices. “As young Ugandans, consider transitioning from inherited land ownership to private ownership, which offers more freedom in your farming activities. Compile your agricultural activities in the digital space to create a reference point for future generations.”
Samuel Musinguzi, a youth from Kikuube district in Bunyoro region and a participant in the initiative, commended AGRA Africa for empowering young people to participate in Climate Smart Agriculture. “I currently practice poultry farming, which generates modest earnings and has saved me from engaging in harmful practices like environmental degradation. Our private forest owner association focuses on environmental conservation through tree planting and carbon trade.”
Musinguzi noted that the meeting had equipped him with knowledge and skills on environmental conservation, which he will apply to his farming business, focusing on ginger, turmeric, and pepper cultivation. He urged local governments and stakeholders to support youth in abandoning charcoal burning and wetland farming, promoting more sustainable practices.
