The agricultural sector in Africa faces numerous challenges, from climate change to limited access to resources and technology. However, amidst these obstacles, there is a growing movement to empower the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals. The Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program, spearheaded by the Walisha Foundation, is a transformative initiative created to support this movement. 

Supporting youth in Africa’s agricultural sector is crucial for the continent’s future food security, economic growth, and sustainable development. With nearly 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, this “youth bulge,” as Dr. Gary Fuller coined it, presents both challenges and opportunities. While youth unemployment remains a major issue, young people have immense potential to drive innovation and transformation in key sectors like agriculture.

The Importance of Youth in African Agriculture

Smallholder farmers who produce most of the continent’s food dominate Africa’s agricultural landscape. However, these farmers often struggle with low productivity, limited market access, and vulnerability to climate change—all issues we addressed in our previous blog post. 

Engaging and empowering young people in the agricultural sector is more critical than ever. 

Through holistic and targeted interventions, we hope to: 

• Address unemployment: Agriculture can provide productive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for millions of young Africans entering the workforce each year.
• Ensure food security: As Africa’s population grows rapidly, empowering youth to boost agricultural productivity is essential to meet rising food demand and overcome the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
• Drive rural development: Engaging youth can help revitalize rural economies and stem urban migration.
• Promote sustainability: Young people are often more open to adopting climate-smart and sustainable farming practices, which enhances their resilience to climate change.
• Foster innovation: Tech-savvy youth can leverage new technologies to modernize farming methods and revolutionize the sector.

“The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.” – Kailash Satyarthi.

Youth Potential to Transform African Agriculture 

The importance of youth in agriculture is apparent and cannot be overstated. But how Young Africans will transform the system is similar to the way that young innovators of the early 2000s shaped the internet and commerce as we know it. 

As digital natives, youth can and will drive the adoption of precision agriculture, farm management software, drones, IoT sensors, and other AgTech innovations – all of which will significantly boost productivity and efficiency. Young entrepreneurs are also already creating novel products and services across the agricultural value chain – from farm inputs to food processing to market linkages. And youth-led startups are leveraging mobile and digital technologies to improve market access, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase value addition.

The excitement and energy of this generation is allowing young agripreneurs to tap into new financing models like crowdfunding and impact investing to grow their ventures. By demonstrating that agriculture can be a profitable and high-tech career, youth are helping rebrand farming as an attractive option for their peers.

To fully harness this potential, governments and development partners must create an enabling environment through youth-friendly policies, improved access to land and finance, skills development programs, and support for agribusiness incubators and accelerators. But don’t worry. Our advocacy program is committed to working with governments and partners to do just that. 

The Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program

Recognizing the transformative potential of young Africans in agriculture, the Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program aims to equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to overcome the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and drive innovation in the sector.

This comprehensive program provides:

1. Hands-on training in sustainable farming practices and climate-smart agriculture

2. Mentorship from experienced agricultural professionals

3. Resources and support for implementing innovative agricultural projects

4. Networking opportunities to build connections within the agricultural sector

By providing these crucial elements, the program empowers young people to become agents of change in African agriculture, capable of increasing productivity, improving resilience to climate change, and enhancing market access for smallholder farmers.

Through initiatives like the Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program, Africa’s youth can spearhead an agricultural revolution that ensures food security, creates jobs, and drives sustainable economic growth across the continent. As these young farmers and agripreneurs continue to grow and innovate, they will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of African agriculture for generations to come.

Walisha’s Partnership with HingAMAFARANGA

In a testament to our commitment to youth in agriculture, Walisha has partnered with HingAMAFARANGA, a dynamic youth organization, to enhance the program’s impact and reach.

The collaboration between Walisha and HingAMAFARANGA marks a significant step forward in the Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program. This partnership will focus on three key areas:

1. Training Extension Officers: The program will work to train extension officers, equipping them with the latest knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture practices. These officers will play a crucial role in disseminating information and supporting smallholder farmers in their communities.

2. Leadership Training: Recognizing the importance of strong leadership in driving agricultural transformation, the partnership will provide comprehensive leadership training to young participants. This will empower them to become effective change-makers in their communities and the broader agricultural sector.

3. Career Development Opportunities: The program will create pathways for career development in agriculture, offering young people a range of opportunities to build successful and fulfilling careers in the sector.

This collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations, combining Walisha’s expertise in agricultural development with HingAMAFARANGA’s deep understanding of youth engagement and empowerment.

The Future of African Agriculture

The Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program, now strengthened by the partnership between Walisha Foundation and HingAMAFARANGA, represents a beacon of hope for the future of African agriculture. By empowering young people to become agricultural entrepreneurs and innovators, the program is addressing key challenges faced by smallholder farmers and contributing to the broader goals of food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development, in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

As the program continues to grow and evolve, it has the potential to create a new generation of agricultural leaders who will drive the transformation of African agriculture. These young farmers and agribusiness professionals will be at the forefront of adopting new technologies, implementing sustainable practices, and creating innovative solutions to longstanding agricultural challenges.

Looking to the future, it is clear that investing in youth and agriculture is not just about ensuring food security; it’s about creating opportunities, fostering innovation, and building resilient communities. The success of programs like the Youth in Agriculture Fellowship demonstrates that with the right support and resources, young people can indeed transform smallholder farming in Africa and lead the continent towards a brighter, more food-secure future.

The journey of agricultural transformation in Africa is ongoing, and the Youth in Agriculture Fellowship Program, bolstered by the Walisha-HingAMAFARANGA partnership, is playing a vital role in nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders. As these young farmers and agripreneurs continue to grow and innovate, they will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the landscape of African agriculture, fostering prosperity for generations to come.

But as we’ve said before, we can’t do this alone. 

We need the support of individuals like you. Please consider supporting our work through a monthly donation, volunteer your time and expertise, or share our work with your networks. 

After all, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African proverb.