John Omiti - Youth and agriculture ppt wageningen-nov 2012
1. Youth, Agriculture and Rural
Development in Developing
countries/ACP regions
John Omiti
Nancy Laibuni
Simon Githuku
jmomiti@kippra.or.ke
1
2. Definition of Youth
Age (15-35 years)
Differences across regions
– Political Importance [‘leaders of tomorrow’]
– Cultural aspects (Gender, Marriage)
– Unemployment // Wealth Gaps
– Emerging issues (ICT, Migration)
2
3. African Youth - Demographics
Large share of youth in population (youth bulge)
70 % is aged below 25 years (200 million)
37% of the total labor force
Youth unemployment rate (2009)
- North Africa ≈ 24 %
- Sub-Saharan Africa ≈ 50-60?
Unskilled youth = (25 - 50 %)
3
6. Key Issues
Rural poverty
Migration of the youth:
Urban areas
Overseas (OECD)
High levels of unemployment/underemployment
Deferred plans [e.g., investments, marriage]
Ageing farm populations [future of agriculture]
Youth bulge (social unrest)
6
7. Youth are key agents
Social change
Access to higher and innovative education
Culture (music, arts, etc)
Economic development
Broad range of opportunities
Access to physical and financial resources
Technological innovation
dynamic conditions to incubate ideas and innovate
Political Change
7
8. Involving Youth in Agriculture
Africa
Average age of farmer ≈ 55 years
Average life expectancy ≈ 49-54 years
Caribbean
Average age of farmers ≈ 55 years
Average life expectancy ≈ 65-70 years
8
9. Why interest youth in Agriculture
Public Perceptions [‘grow own food’]
Self Reliance and Self Sufficiency
Building Human Resource Base
Political goodwill and Investments
9
10. Youth perceptions towards Agriculture
Generally negative youth perceptions with
respect to participation in agriculture
• Not perceived as a viable business initiative
• Employer of last resort (urban-rural youth)
• Not an attractive career path
• offers no opportunity for a better life
• Not appealing - no prestige (status) regardless
of the economic outcomes.
11. Youth and ICT
ICT is attractive to the youth
ICT applications (software) – forecast e.g.
weather patterns, precision farming, etc.
Managing agricultural information data-
creating agricultural databases, payment
systems, marketing, price trends, satellite-
based insurance, etc.
ICT is dynamic and challenging
11
12. Youth and Agribusiness – value chain
Factors that limit youth participation in agribusiness:
Limited market information
Inability to access credit
Inadequate training
Skills mis-match
Low profitability associated with agri-
enterprises
12
13. Ways to engage youth in agriculture
• Demystifying the negative myths about agriculture
• Presenting agriculture as a profitable venture
• Availing special agriculture funding for youth
• Providing incentives to young people engaged in
agriculture
• Preferential treatment for young farmers e.g. water
levy, taxation laxity
• Availing fair market opportunities for youth
• Modernizing agriculture
• Providing training opportunities in new technologies
14. Ways to engage youth in agriculture
• Recognition and supporting young graduates as
potential employees within the agribusiness
sector
• Support youth in establishing and managing a
youth network in agriculture
• Include youth in policy decision making and
implementation
• Agriculture in Education system since primary
level
15. Policy Suggestions
Employment
Employability
Addressing Technical Skills Mis-matches
Addressing Non-Technical Skills Mismatches (skills
development)
Employment Creation: Address slow job/career growth
Equal Opportunities: Addressing youth-discrimination /
deficiencies in the labour market and Inadequate Job
Matching
Facilitating Entrepreneurship
Business Development Services (BDS) + Futures Markets
15
16. Policy Suggestions
Agri-Business Innovations
Package technology for young farmers
Green house farming
Grafting of fruits / vegetables
Use integrated and multifunctional
business approach
Targets young farmers
Use Mobile phones for recordings,
management, etc 16