Programme in Cameroon boosts youth agribusiness confidence

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) today virtually launched the agriculture human capital investment case study carried out in Cameroon.

This case was part of a global study started in early 2020 aimed at providing governments, international financing institutions, the private sector and other partners with the evidence and analysis needed to make more and better investments in agriculture human capital.  

“Today more than ever, farmers face profound changes – from climate change, labour shortages and global pandemics such as COVID-19, to an explosive rise in digital technologies, shifting diets and rigorous global and national food safety standards,” said John Preissing, the Deputy Director – FAO Investment Centre.

“Agricultural producers need the capacity to analyse, innovate and respond, to keep up with this rapidly changing environment to optimise their efforts. At the same time, they must manage their own businesses,” he added.

Cameroon’s agropastoral and fisheries sector

Cameroon, nicknamed “Africa in miniature” because of its cultural and agroecological diversity, is a Central African country with a population of 25 million. The population is predominantly young, with 42.5 percent under 15 years of age.

The country has huge potential for agricultural production due to its agroecological diversity, which enables a range of agricultural forms (agro-industries, family, urban and peri-urban agriculture.

This study focused on the training and vocational integration of young people in agriculture as part of the agropastoral training programme in Cameroon. The programme prepared young people for jobs in the agropastoral and fisheries sectors and has contributed to strengthening their entrepreneurial and social skills.

The analysis of this programme showed that the training contributed to these skills through gaining mastery of technical and professional competencies in strategic decision-making in the management of a production system. Their own motivation played a key factor in the success of the programme, as did a learning by doing pedagogical process accompanied by support.

“The success of this model is based on fostering common values centred on the young person’s life project, the involvement of professionals and families in the training and on building national expertise in conception, designing, implementing and evaluating the system,” said the co-lead author Martial Franck Takamgang.

Importance of investing in agriculture human capital

Agriculture plays an important role in feeding the country and other countries Cameroon exports to, and in generating income for those working in the food value chain.

Investing in farmers – or agriculture human capital – is therefore crucial to addressing challenges in our agrifood systems. There is growing evidence that when you invest in farmers, their capacity and motivation to produce food profitably and sustainably increases.

The global study showed that investments in developing the human capital of smallholder producers resulted in new technical, business capacities and empowered farmers with various useful skills. This led to increased incomes, yields and the inclusion of marginalised groups.

Note to editors:

Human capital, as an economic term, refers to assets that improve individual productivity. These include skills development, training and education, as well as public health and migration. They also include more abstract aspects such as self-esteem, empowerment, creativity, increased awareness and mindsets.

In addition to Cameroon, the study also included cases from Kenya, Rwanda, Chile, India, Indonesia, Peru, West and Central Africa and the United States of America, along with the global report. 

For more information

Contact

Lydia Limbe,

Communication Expert – FAO Investment Centre

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @FAOInvest