Youth in Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

232 Pages·2015·1.91 MB·English

Africa Agriculture
Status Report 2015
YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Correct Citation: Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). 2015.
Africa Agriculture Status Report: Youth in Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Issue No. 3
Copyright @2015, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). All rights reserved.
The publisher encourages fair use of this material provided proper citation is made.
ISSN: 2313-5387
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
West End Towers, 4th Floor
Kanjata Road, off Muthangari Drive, Off Waiyaki Way
P.O. Box 66773, Westlands 00800
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Managing Editor: David Sarfo Ameyaw, (AGRA)
Project Coordinator: Jane Njuguna (AGRA)
Editor: Tiff Harris, TH Consulting
Data Table Coordinators: Jane Njuguna, Eugenie Maiga, Aboubacar Diaby (AGRA)
Editorial Board Members:
• Alemayahu Konde Koira: MasterCard Foundation
• Joachim von Braun: Director, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany
• Namanga Ngongi: Former AGRA President
• Nteranya Sanginga: Director General, IITA
• Pedro Sanchez: Director, Tropical Agriculture and the Rural Environment Program, Columbia University, New York
Design and Layout: Blossoming.it
Cover Concept: Conrad Mudibo, Ecomedia
Cover Photos: Shutterstock, Henry Nwankwo, YPard; Conrad Mudibo, Ecomedia
Printing: Smart Printers
AGRA wishes to acknowledge the following sponsoring institutions:
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or position of Alliance for
a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) or its employees. Although AGRA has made every effort to ensure accuracy and completeness of
information entered in this books, we assume no responsibilities for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or inconsistencies included herein.
The mention of specific companies, manufacturers or their products, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply endorsement
or recommendation or approval by AGRA in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
The descriptions, charts and maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of AGRA concerning the
development, legal or constitutional status of any country.
Africa Agriculture
Status Report 2015
YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Table of Contents
FOREWORD 6
PREFACE 7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8
ACRONYMS 10

CHAPTER 1 14
Current Status of Youth in Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Introduction
CHAPTER 2 36
Youth and Agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa
CHAPTER 3 62
Agricultural Entrepreneurship:
Transforming African Youth Livelihoods through Agribusiness Development
CHAPTER 4 94
Innovative and Inclusive Finance for Youth in Agriculture
CHAPTER 5 118
ICT and Youth in Agriculture
CHAPTER 6 144
Capacity Building and Youth Empowerment in Agriculture
CHAPTER 7 174
Establishing a Conducive Policy Environment for Youth Engagement in Agriculture
CHAPTER 8 192
Conclusion and Recommendations
SECTION 2 196
Agricultural Data for Selected Sub-Saharan Countries
Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015 | 5
Foreword
With almost 200 million people aged 15-24, Africa has the Dubbed as agents of change, movers and shakers,
youngest population in the world1. Each year, 10 million our young people face an array of challenges in the
young Africans enter the continent’s workforce, more agriculture sector. These range from limited access to
than ever before. This highlights the great challenge of land, financial credit (working capital), and improved
youth unemployment, but it could also be seen as a great technologies, to a lack of practical skills and basic
opportunity to encourage youth to be the engine behind literacy, to social norms that largely exclude youth from
the development of new agricultural enterprises — not participation in decision-making and vest control in older
just in farming but also in research, processing, packaging, generations. Young women are especially hard hit by
and retailing of food stuffs. These demographic trends these constraints, and are often encouraged, directly
have important implications, both positive and negative, for and indirectly, to embrace more traditional social and
Africa’s social and economic future and, as shown in this economic roles.
Report, especially for the agriculture sector. It is clear that
the future of Africa rests in its young people and there is Concerted and highly focused efforts by leaders in
an imperative need to create opportunities for economic government, civil society and the private sector are
growth, skills, prosperity and innovation in the agriculture needed to ensure that economic growth and social
sector to fight poverty and end hunger. improvements are inclusive of, and in fact often driven
by, our rural and urban youth. This publication highlights
As stated by Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice president some examples of progress that begin to extend the
for Africa: “Whether they live in the cities and towns conversation on youth and their role in Africa’s socio-
of a rapidly urbanizing Africa, or in rural villages and economic growth through agriculture. The Report
settlements; whether they come from middle-class illustrates that Africa’s future is its youth, and we
backgrounds or from vulnerable families that are living ignore them at our peril. We must invest in educating
in poverty, one thing is certain – these young people and empowering them to build their entrepreneurial
have high expectations, and African policy makers are and technical skills and spirit, so that they can play
increasingly concerned about how to meet them.”2 their rightful role in increasing agricultural productivity
Nevertheless, meet them we must. across the continent. Simultaneously, we must invest
in enhancing our rural infrastructure (transport and
There are good reasons for optimism: Africa has been storage systems, markets) and continue investing
experiencing unprecedented economic growth in in telecommunication systems and other modern
recent years. In fact, of the world’s ten fastest growing technologies that youth can utilize to achieve their full
economies, six are in Africa. The rapid growth and potential as agricultural entrepreneurs.
modernization of Africa’s financial, mining, retail and
telecommunications sectors illustrate how the continent’s It is in Africa’s long-term best interests to make these
prospects are changing for the better. These changes, investments today and continue to do so over time, as
coupled with increasing investments in modernizing articulated in the African Union’s Malabo Declaration.
agriculture, are opening up new employment and We share a common goal of increasing agricultural
entrepreneurial opportunities for youth along the productivity, improving food security, and reducing
agricultural value chain. Yet little is being done to poverty across the continent. The role of young people
empower our young people to seize these opportunities. in achieving this goal is absolutely vital and necessary.
Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda
Chief Executive Officer and Head of Mission
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
1 African Union - Youth at the AU website http://www.africa-youth.org/
2 Diop, M. In: Filmer, Deon and Louise Fox. 2014. Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Development Series. Washington, DC: World
Bank. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0107-5. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0
6 | Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015
Preface
On September 25-27, 2015, the United Nations is holding a detailed narrative that addresses various facets of the
a summit at which the Sustainable Development Goals and publication’s theme, and a data section that presents
their associated targets for the next fifteen years are to be country-level agriculture and economic growth data
adopted. The Goals are fully integrated and indivisible, but which reveal important trends in African agricultural
the first three (of 17) have a direct bearing on the central development.
theme addressed in this year’s Africa Agriculture Status
Report: Youth in Agriculture. The first three SDGs are to The chapters in this year’s narrative section deal with
end poverty in all its forms everywhere; to end hunger, the current status of youth in sub-Saharan Africa and
achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote present the opportunities and potential that the region’s
sustainable agriculture; and to ensure healthy lives and ‘youth bulge’ and ‘youthening’ generation brings to
promote wellbeing for all at all ages. To achieve these agriculture. Challenges to agricultural productivity in SSA,
Goals in Africa requires the collective and all-inclusive such as land tenure and reform issues, lack of capital
effort of all stakeholders on the continent, regardless of and limited access to finance and credit, inadequate
which side of the demographic divide they represent. supplies of improved farming inputs, limited availability
of new and innovative technologies and methods,
Youth participation all along the value chain is vital untapped entrepreneurship skills, and limited public
to the growth of the agriculture-based economies of and private sector investment in agriculture and social
most African countries – from agricultural research and infrastructure are all discussed in this Report. The
development, to food production, storage and handling, to significant opportunities in the agriculture sector that
agroprocessing, through to marketing and distribution in are available to young ‘agripreneurs’, and the progress
local, regional and international food markets. African youth that has been made in the sector to harness the skills
present an unprecedented opportunity to deal with the and the potential of youth, are also presented in detail.
constraints and challenges holding back improvements in Such opportunities as the use of improved technologies
agricultural productivity. Channeling the energy, strength, (high-yielding varieties and hybrids, organic and inorganic
and dynamism of Africa’s youth into productive, competitive fertilizers, conservation farming methods, and appropriate
and profitable agribusinesses (including food production) mechanization), the rapid penetration and uptake of
will boost agricultural productivity, ensure sustainable food ICTs, innovative and inclusive financing programs and
production system, create jobs, and generate incomes. The investments, entrepreneurship and agribusiness initiatives,
impact of youth involvement and participation in agriculture formal and informal education and training, and the
and food systems will be seen in sustainable economic steps being taken towards a more conducive policy
growth, and in the reduction of poverty and malnutrition environment – all make Youth in Agriculture a creditable
across the continent. and timely theme.
The “Africa Agriculture Status Report: Youth in Agriculture” This report is an affirmation and recognition of the
is the third volume in this series. The 2015 report prominent role of youth in transforming SSA agriculture
maintains the original objective of producing an annual and their vital contribution to engendering a uniquely
series that provides an in-depth and comprehensive African green revolution. Youth are vital to development
analysis of emerging issues and challenges being faced and growth across Africa. The hope is that all
by Africa’s smallholder farmers; the series allows African stakeholders – whether from the public or private sector,
scholars and development professionals, as well as or from government or non-governmental organizations
their colleagues in non-African countries, to contribute working to transform African agriculture – will recognize
practical and evidence-based recommendations and the importance and potential of Africa’s youth and wisely
share knowledge that contributes to Africa’s food security. invest in them to reduce poverty, end hunger, and ensure
The publication has also maintained its two section format: healthy lives and wellbeing for all at all ages.
David Sarfo Ameyaw
AGRA
Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015 | 7
Acknowledgements
The African Agriculture Status Report 2015: Youth in Chapter 3.
Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa received support and Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Transforming
guidance from many contributors whom I would like African Youth Livelihoods through
to acknowledge. David Sarfo Ameyaw provided overall Agribusiness Development
leadership for the development and production of the Rita Weidinger (GIZ), Anthony Youdeowei (NRI,
Report, and wrote the Preface, co-authored Chapter I, University of Greenwich), Grace Mwaura (Oxford
and wrote Chapter VIII. Special gratitude is extended to University), Eric Quaye (MoFA, Ghana). Contributors:
Dr. Lindiwe Sibanda, CEO FANRPAN, who authored the Amadou Chico Cissoko (Fabik Farms, Guinea),
Foreword. Special thanks go to MasterCard Foundation Ann-Christin Berger (GIZ), Annemarie Matthess
and the African Development Bank for providing financial (GIZ), Carsten Friedland (SAP), Dashiel Douglas
support for the production and printing of the report. We (Technoserve Kenya), Herman uit de Bosch (Fairmatch
also acknowledge all the other institutions represented Support Netherlands), Mathieu Briard (Fairmatch
in this publication for their contributions (CAADP, CTA, Support West Africa), Medgar Brown (Balmed Holding
FANRPAN, FutureForce, GIZ, IFAD, IITA, IYA, MoFA Ltd Sierra Leone), Michael Drexler (Balmed Holding
(Ghana), National 4-H Council, NEPAD, and University Ltd, Germany), Qureish Noordin (AGRA), Theodore
of Nairobi). We extend our gratitude to the project Partheeban (OLAM)
coordinator, Jane Njuguna, assisted by Josephine Njau
and to Tiff Harris, who provided overall editorial support. Chapter 4.
We also wish to thank AGRA staff and the Internal Innovative and Inclusive Finance for Youth in
Steering Committee Members (Adam Gerstenmier, Agriculture
Bashir Jama, Ernest Ruzindaza, Rufaro Madakadze, Sylvia Lamon Rutten (ACP-EU, CTA) and Sehomi Landry
Mwichuli) for providing input as well as logistical support Fanou (Wageningen University)
for the production and launching of the report.
Chapter 5.
As the President of AGRA, I wish to thank all the people ICT and Youth in Agriculture
who provided support in various ways. Ken Lohento (CTA) and Oluwabunmi D. Ajilore
(Consultant): Contributors of case studies: Claudius
A special thank you to the following chapter authors: Kurtna (Aqritech), Evelyn Ohanwusi (IITA Youth
Agripreneur), Joseph Macharia (Mkulima Young),
Chapter 1. Moses Nganwani Tia (Savanet)
Current Status of Youth in Agriculture in Sub-
Saharan Africa Chapter 6.
David Sarfo Ameyaw (AGRA) and Eugenie Maiga Capacity Building and Youth Empowerment in
(Agriculture Economist Consultant) Agriculture
Abraham Sarfo (NEPAD), Shingirirai Nyamwanza
Chapter 2. (Africa 4-H), Caroline Mutepfa (NEPAD), Rufaro
Youth and Agricultural productivity in Sub- Madakadze (AGRA) and Qureish Noordin (AGRA)
Saharan Africa
Elizabeth Ssendiwala (IFAD) and Akinyi Nzoiki Chapter 7.
(Consultant), Adefioye Adedayo (IITA), Adenmosun Establishing a Conducive Policy Environment
Adetola Adebola (IITA), Patrick Irungu (University of for Youth Engagement in agriculture
Nairobi), Harold Liversage, with contributions from Grace Ngungi (FutureForce) and Sithembile Ndema
Marie-Lara Hubert Chartier, Steven Jonckheere and Mwamakamba (FANRPAN)
Elisabeth Steinmayr
8 | Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015
Chapter 8. Udoto (Egerton University), Nawsheen Hosenally (CTA),
Youth in Agriculture in Productivity and Patrick Irungu (UON), Paul Gamba (Enactus), Raj Dravid
Economic Growth: Key Findings and (Centum Learning Africa), Stephen Wambugu (Chuka
Recommendations University), Steve Cummings (MasterCard Foundation),
David Sarfo Ameyaw (AGRA) Tobias Hiemstra (CTA), Wilson Balongo (Kabarak
University), and Zoravar Singh (Equity Foundation).
Valuable comments and suggestions were provided
by the following peer reviewers: Agbo, Bernard The Report also profited from a Convening held on
Philibert (GIZ), Anne Laure Roy (CIHEAM-IAMM), March 29th, 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. All those who
Augustine Langyintuo (IFC-World Bank Group), were able to attend deserve our appreciation.
Claudius Kurtna (Aquaedge Africa), Festus Akinnifesi
(FAO),Isiah Mharapara (Zimbabwe), Jane Baldwin The Report benefitted greatly from the insights of
(MasterCard Foundation), Joshua Kibet (Agric the members of the Editorial Board and we are very
Chains Development), Karen Moore (MasterCard grateful for their time and effort. Data tables were
Foundation), Kazianga, Harounan (Oklahoma State compiled and prepared by Jane Njuguna (AGRA),
University), Konrad Plechowski (IICD), Linda Turner Eugenie Maiga (AGRA), and Aboubacar Diaby
(4-H, University of Missouri-Columbia), Maurice (AGRA).
Dr. Agnes Matilda Kalibata
President, AGRA
Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015 | 9
Acronyms
3D 3-dimensional
4-H Head, Heart, Hands and Health
AABS Association of African Business Schools
ACC Agricultural Commercialization Clusters
ACP Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
ADLI Agricultural Development Led Industrialization
AECF Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
AESIF Agricultural Education and Skills Improvement Framework
AET Agriculture Education and Training
AfDB African Development Bank Group
AFK Amiran Farmers Kit
AgBIT Agri-Business incubation Trust
AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
AIIC Agribusiness Innovation Incubator Consortia
AIS Agricultural Innovation System
ANAFE African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education
ARDYIS Agriculture, Rural Development and Youth in the Information Society
ARTP Autorité de Regulation des Telecommunications et des Postes
ASARECA Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
ASDS Agricultural Sector Development Strategy
ASTF Africa Solidarity Trust Fund
ATA Agricultural Transformation Agency
ATM Automated Teller Machine
ATVET Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training
AU African Union
AUC African Union Commission
AVC Agricultural Value Chain
AVCF Agricultural Value Chain Finance
AYC African Youth Charter
BAC Business Advisory Centres
BDS Business Development Services
CA Conservation Agriculture
CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme
CBE Competency-Based Economies
CCARDESA The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa
CCLEAr Consortium for Creating Competitive Livestock Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
CDC Commonwealth Development Corporation
10 | Africa Agriculture Status Report 2015