Le IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) is recognized as one of the pioneer models for youth engagement in the agriculture sector. Since its inception in 2012, IYA has led several initiatives involving women, the young and old in providing jobs and ensuring food sustainability.
As the world celebrates International Youth Day (IYD) on 12 August, IYA acknowledges the importance of the critical roles of people across generations in achieving a sustainable future for the youth.
Tracing the history of IYA, the role and effort of inclusive generations in the growth of this movement are affirmed. The “Agripreneur” initiative of IITA started with fewer than 50 youth on IITA Campus in Ibadan, Nigeria. It has blossomed, with thousands of young people across Africa benefiting from the program in a decade. Many of the program’s beneficiaries now manage their own farms, while others have chosen other vocations within the agriculture space.
This success can be attributed to the support of the old and young generations who have served as financiers, mentors, and technical experts to IYA.
In commemorating IYD 2022, IYA recognizes the support of its mentors that has helped give birth and strengthened the African youth agripreneur movement. Among them is the internationally acclaimed “father of agripreneurs in Africa” and IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, who organized the youth group and instituted the IITA Youth in Agribusiness office in 2012. Ten years later, he still inspires youth leadership across the continent and provides continuous mentorship, leadership, and support for youth agripreneurs across Africa.
Another notable mentor, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Akinwumi Adesina, throws his weight behind agripreneurs through programs and investments that target youth groups. He always charges the older generation to embrace younger people in implementing the needed economic and financial change. The Agripreneur building in IITA is named after him to recognize his passion for youth empowerment.
The support of the Emeritus President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze, has also provided strong mentorship and guidance to IYA since the beginning of the agripreneur movement.
The IYA model proves that with the appropriate institutional support, an enabling environment, and mentorship, young people can substantially impact the agri-food system. Obvious opportunities exist for directing African youth toward agribusiness for societal and economic benefit. On this International Youth Day, IYA affirms that for Africa to feed itself sustainably, action is needed across all generations to achieve a thriving agriculture and agribusiness sector. We must leverage the potentials of all generations, but for sustainability, we must stand solid behind the youth who will continue the course.
Dr Sanginga expects IYA’s growing influence to translate into a food-secure future for Africa. “We envisage IYA providing leadership and services to young agripreneurs across Africa, developing collaborative programs to advance youth agribusiness skills, and improving agribusiness opportunities and youth’s creditworthiness,” says DG Sanginga.
The next critical step for all developmental organizations and governments on the continent working with youth for developmet is to support a comprehensive program such as IYA that forges widespread commitment and partnership, effectively combining these approaches and delivering cost-effective opportunities to youth for profitable agribusiness development.
Contributed by Dolapo Ogunsola
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