THE AFRICAN UNION AGRIBUSINESS YOUTH STRATEGY

ON August 1-2, 2024, I had the opportunity to join fellow youth leaders, agripreneurs and policymakers in attending the African Union Africa Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AU-AAYS) Regional Dialogue for Southern Africa.The AU-AAYS was crafted with a clear vision: To bring young people to the forefront of Africa’s agricultural sector. Agriculture isn’t just about food and nutrition, it’s a major economic driver, especially in countries like Eswatini, where it stands as the second-largest contributor to the economy. So, why was this strategy formulated, and why is it crucial for countries like Eswatini to embrace it? Let’s dive in.

Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with over 60 per cent of its population under the age of 25. This youthful energy is a tremendous asset, but only if we can channel it effectively. The AAYS aims to do just that by creating opportunities for young people in agribusiness. It addresses challenges such as access to land, markets and technology, transforming agriculture from a subsistence activity to a vibrant, profitable business.

First-hand insights from Lilongwe

The Southern Africa dialogue for AAYS was a goldmine of information and inspiration. One highlight was hearing about Zimbabwe’s approach to youth involvement, they have set up youth desks in each ministry. This ensures that young voices are not only heard but are instrumental in shaping government decisions. It’s a model worth considering for Eswatini. It was also inspirational to hear the business side of things from agripreneurs such as Siyabulela Sokomani from South Africa, who has a tree nursery that deals with growing indigenous plants and works with township farmers.

We also delved into the common challenges faced across the continent, like the devastating impacts of climate change. Malawi and Mozambique, for example, have faced severe weather events that have thrown their agricultural activities into disarray. These discussions underscored the urgency of building a resilient agricultural sector that can adapt to such challenges.
The Malabo Declaration: A commitment to youth

The AU-AAYS builds on the commitments made in the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods. This declaration expresses a firm commitment to achieving an agricultural revolution in Africa by creating job opportunities for at least 30 per cent of the youth in agricultural value chains. It calls for facilitating participation for youth in gainful and attractive agribusiness opportunities.

To increase youth jobs in agribusiness and achieve the Malabo targets, the African Union Commission, through its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUC-DARBE), developed and launched the AU-AAYS in 2022. The strategy’s objective is to create an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship and employment in agribusiness across the continent. It serves as a continental framework to be used at regional, national and subnational levels to develop context-specific Youth Agribusiness strategies, taking into account all key elements. It is also expected to serve AU Member States as a reference tool for integrating Youth Agribusiness into National Agriculture Investment Plans, Youth Employment Strategies, Entrepreneurship Development Plans, and more.

Implementing the AAYS in Eswatini is more than just a good idea -it is a necessary step towards addressing longstanding issues in our agricultural sector. Despite its crucial role, agriculture in Eswatini struggles with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance and the vast use of traditional subsistence farming techniques. The AAYS can help turn these challenges into opportunities by leveraging our young population’s potential to drive innovation and modernisation in agriculture.

One of the strategy’s key aspects is making agribusiness an appealing career choice for young people. This is not just about training; it’s about providing the resources they need, like land and capital to succeed. Given Eswatini’s high youth unemployment rates, the AAYS could open up new job opportunities and reduce the trend of rural-urban migration by making agriculture a more attractive and viable option.

Collaboration is key

For the AAYS to be successful in Eswatini, collaboration between the government and youth organisations is crucial. These organisations can play a pivotal role in advocacy, capacity building and spreading the word about agribusiness opportunities. Additionally, adopting practices like Zimbabwe’s youth desks could be incredibly beneficial. These desks ensure continuous engagement and feedback from young people, helping to tailor policies and initiatives to their needs and aspirations. This would not only improve policy implementation, but also make sure that young voices are always part of the conversation.

The AAYS is more than just a plan, it’s a pathway to a brighter future for Eswatini. By investing in our youth and empowering them to take on roles in agribusiness, we can drive economic growth, and ensure food security. The insights and experiences shared during the Lilongwe dialogue show that, while there are challenges, there are also opportunities for learning and collaboration. Now, it’s up to us in Eswatini to seize these opportunities. Let’s work together, government, youth organisations, private sector and communities to make the AAYS a reality and unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector. This isn’t just about farming; it’s about building a prosperous and sustainable future for everyone.

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