Глобальный форум по продовольственной безопасности и питанию (Форум FSN)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION BELOW

Mathieu Dohounheho, étudiant béninois vivant au Brésil. Je suis titulaire d'un diplôme professionnel en gestion et production de plantes et de semences de l'Université nationale d'agriculture du Bénin et membre du MGCY des Nations Unies. Aujourd'hui, je me concentre davantage sur l'eau et l'environnement. Pour moi, l'agriculture a toujours été une passion dès le plus jeune âge. Je suis née et j'ai grandi dans les zones rurales. Au cours des quatre dernières années, j'ai dû beaucoup travailler avec des producteurs de plusieurs localités au Bénin. Pendant ce temps, nous avons expérimenté plusieurs fois avec différents systèmes de culture dans différents domaines et l'un des systèmes (MAÏS-MUCCUNA) était plus adapté aux terres pauvres du Bénin. Nous avons utilisé ce dernier système pour notre thèse finale. Le document est là mais personne ne pense plus le vulgariser. Cela signifie qu'il y a mille et un jeunes Africains qui ont des innovations mais ne peuvent pas les réaliser. Nous avons une multitude d’universités et de structures agricoles en Afrique qui forment beaucoup de jeunes, notamment au Bénin comme UNA (Université Nationale d’Agriculture du Bénin), SONGHAÏ Project mais n’ont pas de bonne politique d’orientation des jeunes titulaires de la licence. Nous tous (les jeunes dans l'agriculture) voulons que les conditions de vie de notre population bien-aimée s'améliorent et que notre monde devienne un nouveau monde sans faim et pauvreté (ONU ODD 1) et c'est pourquoi nous avons choisi l'agriculture notre carrière Nous voulons que chaque individu ait suffisamment à manger et, surtout, des aliments de qualité. Donc, ma question peut être résumée comme suit: 

- Quelles sont les stratégies que la FAO et d'autres parties prenantes ont l'intention de mettre en place pour accompagner certains gouvernements afin qu'à chaque fois que ces jeunes universitaires quittent le système, ils soient directement introduits, en particulier les meilleurs?

- N'est-il pas bon que la FAO créée un répertoire ou un blog qui permettra aux structures de supervision agricole d'envoyer les mémoires de ces jeunes universitaires (étudiants et maîtres) chaque année et que vous prendrez les meilleures idées?

Mathieu Dohounheho, I am a Beninese student living in Brazil. I have a professional degree in plant and seed management and production from the National University of Agriculture of Benin and I am a member of MGCY of the United Nations. I now focus more on water and the environment. I have always been passionate about farming from a very young age. I was born and raised in rural areas. Over the last four years, I have been working with producers in several localities in Benin. During this period, we experimented several times with different cropping systems in different fields and one of the systems (MAÏS-MUCCUNA) was more suitable for the poor lands of Benin. We used this last system for our final thesis . The document exists but nobody thinks to vulgarize it any more. This means that a thousand and one young Africans do have innovations but cannot make them happen. In Africa many universities and agricultural structures train many young people, especially in Benin such as UNA (National University of Agriculture of Benin), SONGHAÏ Project, but do not have a good orientation policy for young graduates. All of us (young people in agriculture) want to improve the living conditions of our beloved people and make our world a new world without hunger and poverty (UN SDG 1) and that is why we have chosen agriculture as our career. We want every individual to have enough to eat and, above all, quality food. So my question can be summarized as follows:

- What strategies do FAO and other stakeholders intend to put in place to support some governments so that each time these young academics leave the system, they are directly brought in, especially the best one?

- Wouldn' t it be useful for FAO to create a directory or blog that would allow agricultural supervisory structures to send the memoirs of these young academics (students and teachers) each year so as to gather the best ideas?

DOHOUNHEHO Mathieu

Étudiant en sciences de l'environnement

São Paulo, Brésil

MY EXPERIENCE IN AGRICULTURE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

My name is Patricia Chitanda from Malawi its a good experience am having in Agriculture now looking way back at school I did not like the subject of Agriculture but now have realized that money is inside Agriculture and its time to dig out the money, that's when I had the opportunity to apply for entrepreneurship in Agribusiness where I chose to venture into animal production Piggery to be specific. I take this as an achievement because Av just started with one (1) pig which I know in no time I will have so much in stock because they litter more at once if u care very well. In Malawi our economy relies on Agriculture so I will contribute to the growth of economy.

I am Eugene Sindikubwabo from Rwanda.

About my experience in Rwanda for youth.

Rwanda’s vision for agricultural transformation and development toward food security and attainment of per capita income of $1240 by year 2020 requires working with the youth as “the most energetic segment of the labour force”.

“Government and other partners should continually motivate and keep the youth in the driving seat in agriculture transformation. It is important to help the youth throughout the value chain. The youth also need to work with financial institutions to give tcreate more opportunities,” he noted.

Quoting a United Nations Environmental Programme 2015 survey, Africa has the largest population of young people in the world, with 226 million people aged 15 to 24 years old in need of sustainable employment.

“Each year, young people graduate from school seeking to enter the continent’s workforce, often with no success. The continent is facing a double employment crisis due to lack of jobs for the youth and an increase in the number of young people in need of work. Agriculture is the largest sector of employment where such youth have to exploit job opportunities and ensure food security,” he said.

Currently, agriculture contributes one third of the Rwanda’s total GDP while nearly 80 per cent of the population relies on the sector as the main economic activity.

“Considering that the agriculture sector meets 90 per cent of the national food needs and generates more than 70 per cent of the country’s export revenues, the youth should optimally be engaged and motivated in the whole value chain,” said Bucagu.

Figures show that youth in Rwanda constitute about 4.1 million, about 35 per cent of the total population. In urban settings, the youth are estimated at 25 per cent compared to 75 per cent in rural areas where agriculture is mostly undertaken.

“Rwandan government is making tremendous progress by establishing a youth-led umbrella for youthful organisations and individuals engaged in agribusines.

Question

1.c) In a country like Rwanda where telecommunication and internet is yet underdeveloped, how would you still make good use of the limited available resources?

MY EXPERIENCE AS A YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE, MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS STORY

My name is Rabiah Zuze and I am from Malawi. I am very delighted to be amongst the youths invited to attend the conference on Youth Employment in Agriculture as a Solid Solution to ending hunger and Poverty in Africa: Engaging through Information and Communication Technologies and Entrepreneurship

The idea of engaging myself in agribusiness came in when I was in college, particularly during the time we were introduced to this other course called agricultural-economics. After a month of learning this course, i became motivated to engage myself into agriculture sector. I came to think that i can do something on my own as a business pertaining to my profession of which will also contribute to food security and nutrition in my country when I finish college. I thought of growing maize for sale as my first business venture because our staple food is nsima which is made from maize flour. However I was undecided about my decision because getting a job was my first priority followed by doing farming for commercial purpose implying that getting a job after college was my top most wish.

Nevertheless after completion of my bachelor’s degree in food security and nutrition, jobs were hard to find which was contrary to what I have always expected. With that situation I came back to the idea of growing maize for commercial purpose. However, I dropped the idea of maize production because there was too much competition at that time hence a lot of people were selling maize. However that did not stop my passion at all of becoming engaged in agribusiness .I was still thinking of other ideas pertaining to agriculture. After some months I still couldn’t find a permanent job. Therefore, to make ends meet, I borrowed some money from a friend which added to what I had been saving. The money was enough to start business of rearing hybrid (broiler) chickens. I started with 30 chickens only of which I sold after they reached maturity stage (six weeks). It was at that point when i realized that poultry farming would be the business for me to fulfill my desire of doing something on my own pertaining to my career. I was overwhelmed because I have always wanted to apply what I learnt in class into practice as one way of improving food security and nutrition in my community .Thereafter I reared 50 hybrid chickens but this time around it wasn’t easy because the feed for hybrid chickens became very expensive and I did not have enough money to feed the chickens as per recommended. Unluckily the chickens were also attacked of diseases so I struggled this time around hence I lost 15 chickens due to the attack.

Nevertheless giving up was not my option, despite those challenges I continued doing poultry farming as a business but then I switched to rearing local chickens. After weighing the options of raising hybrid chickens to local chickens i discovered that rearing local chickens was cheaper considering the following; Housing is cheaper, the feed is cheaper hence i use locally available materials to make them on my own, they don’t easily catch diseases, the selling price is much higher compared to hybrid chickens despite the fact that they take time to be fully grown for sale. To compensate the issue of late maturity, i rear improved local breeds that are fast reproducers and resistant to parasites and diseases which give me quick returns on the investment. Farming is really an effective business opportunity hence I have witnessed the goodness of that myself. I now have many customers and I am able to pay myself a salary and contribute to some of the family expenses. I have also used some of the profits from the poultry enterprise to start another business in hair products for women. I have also managed to employ one person who helps me to take care of the livestock together with my mother when I am not around and I look forward to employing more people as the business grows because I would want the business to keep going even if I get a job.

Food is one of the great universals in our lives and one of the things that brings us together. From my experience, surely livestock farming plays a major role as buffers and extenders and they act as protective measures in situations of unforeseen circumstances hence one can sell eggs or even the chickens from the farm for an immediate need. In this context one can buy food hence providing distinct advantages to improve nutrition and increase income from sales. And that makes poultry farming as an agricultural business one of the steps of providing a solid solution to ending poverty and hunger in Africa.

I am Olaleru, Ibikunle Funso, From Nigeria,

I hold a first degree in Animal science with postgraduate training in agricultural biochemistry and nutrition which has since formed my area of research interest. My career goal is to apply my knowledge of agricultural biochemistry and nutrition to improving livestock productivity of the rural famers through improved livestock nutrition with the ultimate aim of contributing to income and food security of the rural farmers. Proper alignment of agriculture production systems and prevailing policies to factors influencing food systems is needed to maximize agriculture for economic empowerment particularly in the developing countries. I therefore strongly believe that the Youth Employment in Agriculture as a Solid Solution to ending Hunger and Poverty in Africa will equip me with knowledge and exposure that will enhance my ability to make contribution to unleashing agricultural advantages for economic empowerment of Nigerian farmers. I currently work with a national agricultural research institute in Nigeria (National Roots Crops Research Institute – NRCRI) and also volunteer at Onelife Initiative for Human development, a non-govermental organisation that is youth led and based in Ibadan. At NRCRI, my research focuses on improving the whole farming systems of root and tuber crops farmers through systemic integration of crops and animals.  Over the years we have looked into sustainable incorporation of roots and tuber crop product and by products into livestock diet for optimum income and preservation of the environment. I look forward to sharing my experience with colleagues at the program and also getting a feedback from them. I believe that my experience as a research scientist in farming systems program of NRCRI would enable me to contribute meaningfully to the theme "Youth Employment in Agriculture as a Solid Solution to ending Hunger and Poverty in Africa" . After the program, I look forward to applying the experience and knowledge gained in identifying relevant research areas and formulating appropriate extension packages for ICT involvement in agricultural technology to root and tuber crop farmers in the agricultural farming system of Nigeria. One of the first step to achieving this will be my presentation of Institute-wide seminar to share my newly acquired knowledge with fellow scientists and also institutionalizing the gains of the program.

Good Morning,

I am Xavio from Rwanda.

Agriculture is one of the most preferred domain from which a big percentage of people in Africa earn a decent wage. It is also a sector that provides food for families. However, this sector faces with a big challenge of traditionalism in a world where modernization is highly needed to feed an ever increasing population.  Africa is highly blessed with its big and naturally fertile land which, once wisely exploited can lead to a permanent food security.  But, if we look at some techniques such as land preparation, fertilization, irrigation, plant protection, seeding and post harvesting, all of them are poor in almost all countries in Africa.

Researches on this continent don't give results that immediately help farmers improve their lives, this might probably due to a low quality of education. Every year, a big number of graduates are released from different universities but it is shameful how most of them do not want to go to farms but to sit in offices and sign documents as if they are secretaries. Additionally, most of them think of getting jobs instead of thinking of how to creatively start small businesses in agriculture that can contribute to the development of on farm trials and job creation.

All in all, this continent has a lot constraints in agriculture domain, but if we can make  our graduates farmers instead of supervisors, we can promote a research based agriculture where we will not feel happy for one step and feel satisfied but keep working hard for more advanced results.

Thank you.

Imbabazi Dominique Xavio,

Engineer in Horticulture from University of Rwanda-College of Agriculture ,Animal sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

Expert in vermiculture and vermicomposting

Tel:+250788674087

Skype: imbabazi.dominique

Q1.  Experience as a youth in the agriculture sector

• As an African youth engaged in the agriculture sector in my country, the following are my Experience:

After ending my University studies in Department of Crop production in University of Rwanda in college of agriculture , animal sciences and veterinary medicine(CAVM) in  July, 2017,  I have started my business with a five thousand Rwandan Francs (5000 Rwf) of working capital dealing with the cultivation of carrot on a small piece land of about 2 Ares I was given by my parents in the villages/ rural area where I have harvested of about five bags (5) in which I sold them to the price of 15,000Rwf/bagx5=75000Rwf for the first time,

For the second time, I have increased the piece of land and use of about five Ares where I have cultivated Sugar beet/ beet roots with 250 mg of seeds cost 8000Rwf and harvest 10 bags of the produce and I sold them to the price of approximately equal to 38,000Rwf/bagx10= 380,000Rwf.

Nowadays, I have extended the size of land from 5 Ares to 1 hectare and I use to engage others man powers in my daily activities where more than 1 hundred (100) labors are always deployed temporally during the cultivation season.

To engage into agriculture sectors the following are my motivation:

• I was born in rural area where my family considered agriculture as priority.
• The success stories of some of the farmers and RYAF (Rwanda Youth in Agri-business Forum) leaders E.g. Jean Baptiste Hategekimana and Regis.
• I studied Agriculture/ Crop production in University and I have considered agriculture as a priority.

Q2. Major Achievements and success stories

• As an African youth engaged in the agriculture sector in my country, the following are my Experience:

I have started my business with a five thousand Rwandan Francs (5000 Rwf) of capital dealing with the cultivation of carrot on a small piece land of about 2 Ares I was given by my parents in the villages/ rural area where I have harvested of about five bags (5) in which I sold them to the price of 15,000Rwf/bagx5=75000Rwf for the first time,

For the second time, I have increased the piece of land and use of about five Ares where I have cultivated Sugar beet/ beet roots with 250 mg of seeds cost 8000Rwf and harvest 10 bags of the produce and I sold them to the price of approximately equal to 38,000Rwf/bagx10= 380,000Rwf.

Nowadays, I have extended the size of land from 5 Ares to 1 hectare and I use to engage others man powers in my daily activities where more than 1 hundred (100) labors are always deployed temporally during the cultivation season and now I have the ability to collect the produce of horticultural crops e.g. Beet roots and carrots from different farmers and carrying them to the market as a strategies to generate an income. My action plan, is to hard work as much as possible as youth considered as an agent of changes in agri-business Forum and improve the ways I use to cultivate and increasing the size of land used to grow those crops, improving the production for both quality and quantity.

Q3) what The Rwanda Youth Conference should address

If given an opportunity, I would ask the following questions to the experts at the Rwanda youth conference on each of three sub themes

A) Youth employment and entrepreneurship

Question to ask:  What are the contributions of FSN Forum to enhancing youth employment and entrepreneurship and how this forum will impact the different youths engaged in agriculture sector in Africa?

b) Digital innovation to overcome agriculture value chain constraints

Question to ask: Explain how the use of Digital innovation by youth will overcome agriculture value chain constraints?

 Thank you very much and god be with you all!!!!!!!

Ndayisaba Faida Justin an intern in Rwanda Youth In Agribusness Forum (RYAF)

I hold my bachelor degree from University of Rwanda College of agriculture animal science and veterinary medicine, I studied crop production, and my experience is to manufacture organic fartilisers from animals and human wastage to solve a big challenges that our country farmers face. So I decide to use my skills and knowledge and put it in practice because after make survey to different farmers they showed me how the yield reduce due to the reduction of organic matter in the soil leading to soil degradation so I plan to do a small business that will expand as the capital will rise and help my country farmers to rise their yield.

Q1) How would you describe your experience as an Africa youth engaged in the agriculture sector in your country ? What motivated you to engage into the agriculture sector

Sierra Leone is blessed with a rich agriculture soil in especially our District Kono. Being rich agricultural as a District can support it citizens with necessaries food if properly invested. Growing as child, agriculture is term as a poor and old man job because only subsistence farming in being  taken in the  country  especially my district which is not enough to support even the household on a yearly  not to talk of the family. As a result of this our parent’s advice to go school and not even pay attention to anything that has to do with agriculture as it the field for the poor people.

What to add to the discouragement in agriculture is the school setting, the teachers also use agricultural work as punishments for those who misbehaved in school. So we the young people growing up see agriculture as a complete slavery for people and no profit. 

After my high school, I started looking at all the things we use at home and put more our finances into for the home to look better. I came to learn that 80% of our expenditure at home goes in agriculture materials especially food. In 2013, we formed a team and take survey of the agriculture food items that imported in to our country which is to be grown by we the citizens. We then came to learn that for only our District Kono on a yearly: Rice $ 1 500,000 is imported in to the District poultry products $ 1,000,000 fish $ 800,000 and corn milk and onion $ 700,000 to name but few. Upon that we agreed that for any country to develop its citizen especially youths most embark on mechanize and productive agriculture to improve on the livelihood, employment and develop the economic.

In April 2015 we came together and formed the Yormatah Youth Farmers Association-Kamara, YYFA which AIM; Commitment to sustainable economic empowerment of youths, in the agriculture, food security sector and the use of natural resources to meet the demands of future generations of youths. This as a concerted effort is done through support from stake-holders and partners thereby enhancing development of youths

VISION: YYFA sees a positive youth generation emerging as useful adults capacitated to make meaningful contributions to the development aspirations of their communities.

MAIN FOCUS: Empowerment of rural youths through sustainable farming related and income generation activities for youths.

Our experiences as Youth Farmers has always being challenging in the area of access to land, finance, improve farming equipment and support from stakeholders, where mining companies are dominating farming to access the facilities. As it is now there is no tractor in the Kono District to encourage for we the farmers to embark on the large mechanize farming.  Our immediate solution to this tractor challenge we are able to mobilize our young members to engage on three hours ploughing of the land as way to achieve target for this years.

Q2. What have been your major achievements? Do you have any experience or innovative ways that have helped you in your work that you would want to share? Do you have a success story – either your own or any other that you are aware of - of youth engaged in agriculture in your country? What is the story?

Our successes over the years as Youth Farmers are as follows:

• Acquiring of 30 acres of land
• Construction of operational office.
• Mini poultry farm funded United Nation Food and Agricultural Organization.
• Fish pound funded United Nation Food and Agricultural Organization.
• Training of other youth farming in the district.
• Yearly vegetable production.

Our innovation in solving communities’ problems in agriculture is through practical way we have started with three young people whom we called community solution volunteers in the SGDs pillar 1, 2 and 13.

The volunteer have help in turning three mini out pits in to fish pound, created local battery cage in poultry, Promoted and development mini out inland swamp into productive agricultural places for rural farmers.

Through our lobby innovative we were able to have found and land from our local authority the paramount chief to support us in building our operational office

Pierre Habimana

Being Rwandan Horticulturist highly experienced regionally and with international production for example Israel horticulture system knowledge, I have to show that fruit and vegetables production is a tangible business. Looking interest this not need high stating investment either is needed for high production and horticulture production give at each stage of value chain good output.

Technically youths are called in this field, there are money from nusery production to the market of the harvested product and intangible one in processing industries and also we can use small stating capital and low technic where some youth still struggling with capital. Youth we have to build a basal and good solid production looking for food security looking fruits and vegetables money quicker harvesting.