KAMPALA-AGRA Africa on Monday brought together youths from all over Uganda with a view of sensitizing them Climate Smart Agriculture as well finding youth led solutions on combating effects of climate change as well as using Agriculture to create employment.
At the event held at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala, the youth came up with suggestions for government and other key stakeholders have to do in order improve on the country’s Agricultural sector.
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Dr. Jeremiah Rogito ..reported that this initiative, they have already captured youth voices from countries like Ghana and Rwanda , currently in Uganda as they prepare to move to head to Kenya and Ethiopia.
“All these voices to regional voices, all these will be brought together for Africa food system forum in Kigali Rwanda 2nd 6th September Kigali Rwanda. We look forward to amplify the voice of the youth what they need to see happening on climate action in the continent We use these voices to global engagement like cop29 to change policies that favor the youth In Agriculture.” Rugito stated
He added that young people should pick more interest in Agriculture because its one of the areas with a lot job opportunities and capacity to generate more than 50 percent of the jobs required in Africa.
“In our five year program transformative journey with Master card Foundation, we need to create1.5 million jobs (dignified jobs) in Africa. This can be created through having young people heavily engaged in various Agriculture value chain activities . We look forward to reaching out to over 10 million youth in Africa.”
Rogito also pointed out that the jobs they focusing on come across the farm value chain starting from Agricultural producers, input suppliers , working in value addition, input suppliers, working in processing facilities (value addition) , providing distribution services and post harvest management among others.
Dr. Sharon Mbabazi Tusiime , the Programs officers for AGRA Africa who represented the Executive Director on this event revealed that they are engaging the youth (future generation) to find means of improving farming using modern technological means.
“As Ugandans youths, think about migrating from owning land through inheritance to private land ownership because it gives you more freedom in your farming activities. You need to compile all your agricultural activities onto the digital space to create reference for the future generations.”
Samuel Musinguzi one of the youth from Kikuube district in Bunyoro region , also one of the participants, commended AGRA Africa for this initiative aimed at empowering young people to participate in Climate Smart Agriculture which not only protect the environment, but also improves on their income.
“Currently I practice Poultry where I get some simple earnings. It has greatly saved me from engaging in dangerous practices like environment degradation. We also have a private forest owner Association where we focus on participating in environmental conservation like planting of trees and carbon trade.”
Musinguzi also pointed out that the meeting has equipped him with more knowledge and skills on environmental conservation which he is going to apply in his farming business (Ginger, turmeric and pepper growing).
“On the side of local governments and other stakeholders, I will ask them to put more emphasis on supporting the youth to stop engaging in Charcoal burning as well as farming in wetlands.”
Challenges faced by the youth in Uganda’s Agri food system
Cultural norms often view agriculture as a low-status occupation, particularly for young people and this stigma discourages youth from pursuing careers in agriculture, despite the sector’s potential for growth and innovation.
Secondly, the absence of mentorship and successful role models in the agricultural sector is one of the factors that has discouraged youth participation.
In some agricultural development institutions and decision-makers may harbor implicit biases that youth are less knowledgeable or capable when it comes to complex issues like
Climate change adaptation which can further marginalize young farmers’ voices.
Suggestions
The young people recommended that in order to promote climate Agriculture in Uganda, government and Civil society Organizations have to provide support all kinds of support to skilled youth.
Key stakeholders should put in communities peer mentors to train the youth about modern and environmental friendly agricultural practices.
Increasing capacity building and trainings for young people as well as other Farmers at all levels.
The youth also expressed the need to increase on the use of various media outlets in create in sensitizing farmers
They pointed out on the need to create market linkages for farmers so as to be able to sale in time all their agricultural produce as one of the means of reducing on losses and exploitation by middle men.
Background
In Africa more than 10 million youth annually enter the job market to compete for only 3 million new jobs.
According to recent statistics, 1/3 of African youths are unemployed and another 1/3 are vulnerably employed.
In microeconomic terms, this means governments are losing out on potential revenue from the youth.
Africa also has a high dependency burden on the economically engaged Population.
The Food systems growth in Africa is slowing down due too low innovation
According to experts, by 2030, more than ten million young people will be seeking employment opportunities, with the current trajectory, there is a strong likelihood that more and more youths will remain unemployed if nothing is done.
That if well handled, the youth have the greatest potential to grow Africa’s food systems through innovation and vibrant Iabour. This will safeguard Africa’s food security.
