I'm overjoyed for having the chance to talk about the partaking of African Youth in Agriculture on the FAO Group. I will start in on by answering raised questions according to the best of my knowledge.
What are the biggest challenges youth in Africa face after going through youth-specific capacity development initiatives in agriculture?
The biggest challenge youth in Africa faces institutions. Limited access to land, inadequate access to financial services, and limited access to markets are the major challenges and situation that will pose potential danger on the viability and strategies of African countries’ youth participation in agriculture. Although access to land is fundamental to starting a farm, it can often be difficult for young people to attain. Inheritance laws and customs in developing countries often make the transfer of land to young women problematic, and so are in need of amendment. Loans to assist youth in acquiring land are also needed, while leasing arrangements through which youth gain access – though not ownership – to land may also prove effective. Inadequate access to financial services is principal challenge. Most financial service providers are reluctant to provide their services – including credit, savings and insurance – to rural youth due to their lack of collateral and financial literacy, among other reasons. Promoting financial products catered to youth, mentoring programmes and start-up funding opportunities can all help remedy this issue. The other principal challenge young people have limited access to markets. As without such access youth will not be able to engage in viable and sustainable agricultural ventures. Access to markets for youth is becoming even more difficult due to the growing international influence of supermarkets and the rigorous standards of their supply chains. Moreover, Youth have limited involvement in policy dialogue. Too often young people’s voices are not heard during the policy process, and so their complex and multifaceted needs are not met. Policies often fail to account for the heterogeneity of youth, and so do not provide them with effective support.
What enabling environment is needed to ensure sustainability of youth in agriculture capacity development initiatives?
To remedy this, youth need the requisite skills and capacities for collective action institutions to ensure that their voices are heard. Various private and public sector market-supporting institutions and institutional arrangements been proposed to bridge market imperfections, reduce transaction costs, and enhance opportunities for the poor youths in agricultural markets and to make the market systems more inclusive and integrated.
Dr. Aman Kiniso
I'm overjoyed for having the chance to talk about the partaking of African Youth in Agriculture on the FAO Group. I will start in on by answering raised questions according to the best of my knowledge.
The biggest challenge youth in Africa faces institutions. Limited access to land, inadequate access to financial services, and limited access to markets are the major challenges and situation that will pose potential danger on the viability and strategies of African countries’ youth participation in agriculture. Although access to land is fundamental to starting a farm, it can often be difficult for young people to attain. Inheritance laws and customs in developing countries often make the transfer of land to young women problematic, and so are in need of amendment. Loans to assist youth in acquiring land are also needed, while leasing arrangements through which youth gain access – though not ownership – to land may also prove effective. Inadequate access to financial services is principal challenge. Most financial service providers are reluctant to provide their services – including credit, savings and insurance – to rural youth due to their lack of collateral and financial literacy, among other reasons. Promoting financial products catered to youth, mentoring programmes and start-up funding opportunities can all help remedy this issue. The other principal challenge young people have limited access to markets. As without such access youth will not be able to engage in viable and sustainable agricultural ventures. Access to markets for youth is becoming even more difficult due to the growing international influence of supermarkets and the rigorous standards of their supply chains. Moreover, Youth have limited involvement in policy dialogue. Too often young people’s voices are not heard during the policy process, and so their complex and multifaceted needs are not met. Policies often fail to account for the heterogeneity of youth, and so do not provide them with effective support.
To remedy this, youth need the requisite skills and capacities for collective action institutions to ensure that their voices are heard. Various private and public sector market-supporting institutions and institutional arrangements been proposed to bridge market imperfections, reduce transaction costs, and enhance opportunities for the poor youths in agricultural markets and to make the market systems more inclusive and integrated.