Youth have the power to transform agri-food systems. In the lead-up to the United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS), over 80 young women and men from farmer associations, rural youth networks, youth-led organizations and agribusinesses, young policymakers and diaspora youth joined an Independent Dialogue convened by the African Youth Agripreneurs (AYA) platform and titled “The Y Factor: bringing rural youth in the conversation about inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems”.

The dialogue was supported by FAO’s Integrated Country Approach (ICA) for boosting decent jobs for youth in the agri-food system, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). It was a great opportunity to engage young people across East Africa – particularly rural youth, often underrepresented in policy dialogues – to suggest their pathway towards more equitable and youth-friendly food systems.