National Alliance Against Hunger Nigeria as the National Coordinator, Am Founder Center for Environmental Education and Development (CEED) in Nigeria
Youth engagement and employment in agriculture is at the centre of the discussions today to meaning connect our next generation with today's Agricultural development agenda. In Africa, the youth constitutes about 37% of the continent total labor force, but then the young people make up about 60% of the African continent total unemployment rate.
In Nigeria, there are several initiatives, programmes and schemes in Agriculture aimed at making the sector respond to the food production needs of the country, ensure farmers get the benefit of the labor they put into food production and feeding their families and as a source of both domestic and foreign earnings. There is the Agricultural Development Programme (ADPs), There is the Fadama 1, 11 and 111 aimed at strategic engagement in the Agricultural sector, food production and rural development. There is also the National Agricultural Land Development Agency, (NALDA).
Launching of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Program (YEAP) and the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development underscore its determination to reduce the level of youth unemployment and plans to empower 740,000 market-oriented young Agricultural producers in rural areas under Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP).
On the other hand, National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (NAAHM) with Agriculture Department of the ECOWAS Commission and Humanitas Global Development has a designed project aimed at introducing a Regional Agricultural initiative tagged at Promoting Youth Agro-Entrepreneurship to increase Food security (PYAEF) for the Young people of the Sub-Region. The Alliance is also working with strategic Alliances in the West Africa Sub-Region to engage institutions and private sector that engages in Land grab and that do not adhere to FAO, and African Union guidelines on Responsible investment in Agriculture.
On the other hand, the concept of the Feed the Future as the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, aimed at transforming lives toward a world where people no longer face the agony and injustice of extreme poverty, undernutrition and hunger no doubt provides the connection for the current discussions promoted through the Global Forum on Food Security (FSN). Also the FSN Forum in West Africa supports policy and programmes by providing a channel for West African stakeholders to contribute to existing initiatives and voice their ideas and concerns on food security and nutrition in the region.
It is therefore on the strength of this process the I feel that the objectives set under the forth –coming workshop to be held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome which includes –
Challenges faced by rural youth aged in making both (current or future) living in agriculture and related activities, as well as in non-agricultural activities in rural areas is imperative for us to review.
The urgent need to identify for the purpose of improved skills development and employment options for rural youth (boys and girls) aged 15-17 in agriculture and the rural economy.
This is fundamental to guaranteeing our future and the future of Agricultural practices and policies. This is the reason our contribution to this discussion is viewed in the context promoting best practices and effectives ways of youth inclusiveness in Agricultural business environmental and engagement.
Best Regards
Raymond Enoch
CEED/NAAHM Nigeria
Dear Moderator,
What would be effective and efficient regional governance for Food Security and Nutrition in West Africa?
In building Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security governance in West Africa, one effective efficient way of doing so in to entrench in the charter of ECOWAS that engagements of country levels Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security no matter the changes in government (heads), do not derogate from Regional Agricultural Programs and Initiatives except for some specific initiatives which response to certain country levels needs and aspirations. This way professionalism and expertise can be gauged and measured in terms of priorities and needs. We agree that in the International levels , depending on partnerships and collaborations including bilateral relationship, certain in activities targets countries, even at that attempts should be be made to factor in the regional actions to enable coherence and coordination
Specific Project measured at country level- within ECOWAS relating to PNIA and NAIPs are not clear. Nigeria for instance, jump started Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). Its background, context and application were basically driven by huge and ambitious strategies of the government that established it not in conformity with initiatives of ECOWAP to promote Agricultural products market stability and regional integration of ECOWAS. The practice where countries in West Africa are implementing un-coordinated political programs and projects in the Agricultural sector will definitely not argue well for the attainment of 2025 goal.
Youth and Women. Along these lines, Zero Hunger Initiative has been initiated at Regional Level. But what stake does it have at country at least political will and commitment of the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural or Head of States and Government. To attain ECOWAP objectives and the goals of Zero Hunger Initiative Project, more of Youth engagements and women in Agriculture empowerment packages and strategies need to be evolved and made to work.
What will be the role and place of the non-state actors /civil society organizations (level of representation and participation in the decisions) in the official enactments of the implementation of ECOWAP, agricultural policies and NFS in general both at national and regional level?
In 2003, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, IFAD and other Rome Based Agencies (RBA) founded the International Alliance Against Hunger (IAAH) which was later changed to Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (AAHM) in 2010 following an international workshop of countries in FAO held in June 2010 in Rome Headquarters.
Over a decade now, the Alliance is known in West Africa as (Platform Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition ) a named in adopted in Accra, November, 2013. The Alliance has been established with firm activities and actions at country levels of the ECOWAS Region. It has coordination in respective member countries with strong national platforms recognized by FAO country office and other regional and country level international organizations capable of providing the role and representation expected from Non State Actors (NSAs) in the implementation of ECOWAP. The Alliance was a key ally in driving homes messages of campaign of the International Year of Family Farming 2014 now +10, the 7th FAO West Africa Multidisciplinary and Management Teams meeting held June, 2014.
Which multi-actors and multi-sector platform should be used to facilitate dialogue and negotiations on policies, programs and investments, accountability, etc.?
1. PLATFORM ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION (PAAHM),National Alliances Against Hunger and Malnutrition (NAAHMs)
2. ROPPA
Raymond Enoch
NAAHM Nigeria
Cher Modérateur,
Quelle gouvernance régionale effective et efficiente pour la Sécurité Alimentaire et la Nutrition en Afrique de l’Ouest?
Un moyen efficace pour renforcer la gouvernance en matière d’agriculture, de sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle en Afrique occidentale est de consacrer, dans la charte de la CEDEAO, des engagements à l’échelle nationale dans le domaine de l’agriculture, de la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle, quels que soient les changements gouvernementaux (chefs de gouvernement), conformes aux initiatives et programmes agricoles régionaux, hormis certaines initiatives spécifiques répondant à des désirs et besoins spéciaux à l’échelle du pays. Le professionnalisme et l’expertise peuvent donc être évalués et mesurés en termes de priorités et de besoins. Certes, à l’échelon international et selon les partenariats et les collaborations, y compris les relations bilatérales, certaines activités sont ciblées sur les pays, alors qu’il serait bon de se centrer sur les actions régionales afin d’assurer la coordination et la cohérence.
Des précisions doivent être apportées sur certains projets spécifiques à l’échelle des pays et de la CEDEAO en ce qui concerne les Plans nationaux d'investissement agricole (PNIA). Le Nigéria a, par exemple, lancé l’Agenda de transformation agricole (ATA). La genèse, le contexte et l’application de cet Agenda ont essentiellement été déterminés par les stratégies vastes et ambitieuses du gouvernement qui l’a mis sur pied sans tenir compte des initiatives de l’ECOWAP pour promouvoir la stabilité du marché des produits agricoles et de l’intégration régionale de la CEDEAO. La pratique de la mise en œuvre, dans les pays d’Afrique occidentale, de programmes politiques et de projets non coordonnés dans le secteur agricole, ne va certainement pas contribuer à la réalisation de l’objectif fixé pour 2025
Jeunes et Femmes C’est dans ce sens que l’initiative Faim zéro a été amorcée à l’échelle régionale. Mais quel sera son rôle à l’échelle des pays à moins que n’interviennent la volonté politique et l’engagement des ministres de l’agriculture ou des chefs d’État et de gouvernement ? Pour atteindre les objectifs de l’ECOWAP et du projet de l’initiative faim zéro il est indispensable de perfectionner et de faire fonctionner davantage d’engagements vis-à-vis des jeunes et de stratégies d’autonomisation des femmes dans le domaine agricole.
Quel rôle et quelle place pour les OSC/acteurs non étatiques (niveau de représentation et participation aux décisions) dans le dispositif institutionnel de mise en œuvre de l’ECOWAP et des politiques agricoles et de SAN en général tant au niveau national que régional?
En 2003, l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO), l’IFAD et d’autres institutions basées à Rome ont créé l’Alliance internationale contre la faim (IAAH) qui a ensuite été rebaptisée Alliance contre la faim et la malnutrition en 2010, à l’issue d’un atelier international qui a réuni les pays au siège de la FAO à Rome en juin 2010.
Depuis plus d´’une décennie, l’Alliance est connue en Afrique occidentale comme Plateforme de l’Alliance contre la faim et la malnutrition, dénomination adoptée à Accra, en novembre 2013. L’Alliance a été mise en place moyennant des activités et des mesures énergiques à l’échelle des pays de la région de la CEDEAO. Elle a établi des liens de coordination dans les différents pays membres avec de solides plates-formes nationales reconnues par le bureau national de la FAO et d’autres organisations internationales à l’échelle régionale et des pays pouvant assumer le rôle et la représentation attendue des acteurs non étatiques dans la mise en œuvre de la politique agricole de la CEDEAO (ECOWAP). L’Alliance a été un partenaire fondamental pour véhiculer les messages de la campagne de l’Année internationale de l’agriculture familiale 2014, à la septième réunion des équipes multidisciplinaires et de gestion d’Afrique de l’Ouest – FAO tenue en juin 2014.
Quelle plateforme multi-acteurs et multi-secteurs pour faciliter le dialogue et les négociations sur les politiques, programmes et investissements, la redevabilité, etc. ?
1. Plateforme Alliance internationale contre la faim et la malnutrition (PAAHM), Nigéria, Alliances nationales contre la faim et la malnutrition (NAAHM)
2. ROPPA
Raymond Enoch
NAAHM Nigéria
Dear all,
I must commend FSN for bringing this up after the FSN Forum in West Africa workshop in Accra, Ghana November, 2013 which I attended. I must also wish to see that the new renewed zeal exhibited at the meeting approaches this very topic with the attention it deserves. For this I hereby submit that:
There is no doubt that Africa has the youngest population in the world; over 200 million people are between ages 15 and 24 and the African Economic Outlooks expects this number to double by 2045. It is easy to see why youth have become such an important part of Africa Agriculture.
However Young people are also caught today or attracted to the instantaneous nature of communications and fast changing technologies—keeping pace with these exciting innovations is our addiction. So the question in the minds of every researcher and expert is why don’t we figure out the best practical way possible to link young people with this the changes in the agriculture
The opportunity to discuss and define this here makes the concept much more interesting since an estimated 70% of the world's poor rely on agriculture for all or some of their household income. Farmers face a number of risks to their livelihoods, including unpredictable weather and crop price variation and young people are part of this. These risks may also affect young people
1. My suggestion is that Government in West Africa can strengthen higher education in Agriculture to attract youth into the sector to increase food productivity. Technological innovation in the sector can provide cost effective options as well as extending information and education to those who are not attending school. These can be done through effective rural cooperative settings and management. Technology can also be a driver for change in agriculture—offering young people a range of opportunities: socialization and network-building, employment and research, among others.
2. Youths want access to power, telephones, digital television and other information and communication technologies that are sadly missing or not really functional in many rural communities especially in Africa. Besides, youths do not want to practice agriculture the way of their fathers but in a modern way, with an appropriate image that speak to their aspiration as natives of the digital age – where the media have a great influence on perceptions and aspirations. Much can be achieved in that direction
3. Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Empowerment initiative can offer incentives as attractive to put young people in Agriculture
Enoch, Nyayiti Raymond
NAAHM Nigeria
Dear All FSN Forum in West Africa colleagues,
The discussion on what is the role of social relations and networks in household food security and nutrition? is critical if we are to move forward.
The social relations and networks are no doubt elements and instrument of education, information sharing of best practices and vehicle to drive policy options. It is in this context that I join the discussion.
I will be making more in-depth contributions on this.
Raymond Enoch
NAAHM Nigeria and Chair West Africa
Youth engagement and employment in agriculture is at the centre of the discussions today to meaning connect our next generation with today Agricultural development agenda In Africa, the youth constitutes about 37% of the continent total labor force, but then the young people make up about 60% of the African continent total unemployment rate.
In Nigeria, there are several initiatives, programmes and schemes in Agriculture aimed at making the sector respond to the food production needs of the country, ensure farmers get the benefit of the labor they put into food production and feeding their families and as a source of both domestic and foreign earnings. There is the Agricultural Development Programme (ADPs), There is the Fadama 1, 11 and 111 aimed at strategic engagement in the Agricultural sector, food production and rural development. There is also the National Agricultural Land Development Agency, (NALDA)
Launching of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Program (YEAP) and the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development underscore its determination to reduce the level of youth unemployment and plans to empower 740,000 market-oriented young Agricultural producers in rural areas under Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP).
On the other hand, National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (NAAHM) with Agriculture Department of the ECOWAS Commission and Humanitas Global Development has a designed project aimed at introducing a Regional Agricultural initiative tagged at Promoting Youth Agro-Entrepreneurship to increase Food security (PYAEF) for the Young people of the Sub-Region. The Alliance is also working with strategic Alliances in the West Africa Sub-Region to engage institutions and private sector that engages in Land grab and that do not adhere to FAO, and African Union guidelines on Responsible investment in Agriculture.
On the other hand, the concept of the Feed the Future as the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, aimed at transforming lives toward a world where people no longer face the agony and injustice of extreme poverty, undernutrition and hunger no doubt provides the connection for the current discussions promoted through the Global Forum on Food Security (FSN ). Also the FSN Forum in West Africa supports policy and programmes by providing a channel for West African stakeholders to contribute to existing initiatives and voice their ideas and concerns on food security and nutrition in the region.
It is therefore on the strength of this process the I feel that the objectives set under the forth –coming workshop to be held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome which includes –
Challenges faced by rural youth aged in making both (current or future) living in agriculture3 and related activities4, as well as in non-agricultural activities in rural areas is imperative for us to review
The urgent need to identify for the purpose of improved skills development and employment options for rural youth (boys and girls) aged 15-17 in agriculture and the rural economy.
This is fundamental to guaranteeing our future and the future of Agricultural practices and policies. This is the reason our contribution to this discussion is viewed in the context promoting best practices and effectives ways of youth inclusiveness in Agricultural business environmental and engagement .
Best Regards
Raymond Enoch
CEED/NAAHM Nigeria