Summary Youth strategy Meeting AgriProFocus

Youth in Agribusiness;What should AgriProFocus do ?Summary of the Youth Strategy Meeting. November 2016

Within the proposed new strategy of AgriProFocus 2018-2022, young entrepreneurs in agricultural value chains play a prominent role.


Now, there is a need to further shape and provide direction to the Youth in Agribusiness strategy for the network in the light of the new, global strategy


Now, there is a need to further shape and provide direction to the Youth in Agribusiness strategy for the network in the light of the new, global strategy

We need to think ahead about what we are specifically aiming for, what results we want to achieve and how we are planning to do this, in order to support members and partners in such a way that they can achieve better results through cooperation with other stakeholders.

So, where do we start?

With the new global strategy


Linking to create a space for exchange and sharing of experiences among our members for effective collaboration.



Learning to generating relevant information from within the membership for shared and co-created insights



Learning to generating relevant information from within the membership for shared and co-created insights

Leadership to bring together our network with diverse approaches and collectively influence a national, regional and global agenda.

But how does this fit with ‘Youth in Agribusiness’?

But how does this fit with ‘Youth in Agribusiness’?

I appreciate the question Alpha, but first we need to define what we mean with ‘youth’ and understand the current trends and challenges around youth in agribusiness

Our target group is between 18-35 years old and includes the rural and urban youth, educated and non-educated. We work with youth that is already active in the agri-food sector. This means that they either have a business already or are in an active start-up phase. They are young innovators, market oriented and passionate to invest and grow their enterprise.

Trends and Developments for Youth in Agribusiness


An increasing precentage of the population is considered ‘youth’



The ageing farmer population as a potential threat to food security and innovations in agricultural development




Increased recognition of the importance of youth…

and more and more resources made available for youth, at all levels






Growing youth unemployment






Growing youth unemployment

Increased use of technology

Challenges the youth faces


Limited access to resources (land, finance, market, education…)



Negative perceptions of youth towards agribusiness (hard work, little pay-off)




Limited coordination among the organizations working with youth





High unemployment rates





High unemployment rates

Climate change and the need to make necessary adaptations

This then leads us to the changes we want to see for youth in agribusiness

More successful youth led enterprises

throughout the value chain



Agribusiness as a choice to a successful business


More spaces for youth in the decision making process and make their voices heard




More youth making a decent living in the agribusiness

More spaces for youth in the decision making process and make their voices heard



and here are the objecitves;

Overall Objective :To Increase the number of youth as key actors in agri-food sector


Overall Objective :To Increase the number of youth as key actors in agri-food sector


Specific objectives :• To support the development of successful youth-led businesses across agri-

food value chain

• To support youth involvement in decision making processes among (key) stakeholders within the agri-food sector

So how are we going to achieve this?

So how are we going to achieve this?

Through LinkingLearningLeadership

It took a lot of thinking

It took a lot of thinking and writing,


sharing,


sharing, and more thinking...

but now we propose you 3 flagship projects

but now we propose you 3 flagship projects

Flagship projects are global services that are possibly offered in all countries and are unique to AgriProFocus.

1. Mapping Excersize


We want to know who is doing what with youth in the agri-food sector.



A mapping exercise is therefore proposed, in all countries, to identify initiatives, interventions, knowledge, research, etc. related to youth in agribusiness



A mapping exercise is therefore proposed, in all countries, to identify initiatives, interventions, knowledge, research, etc. related to youth in agribusiness

It will enable the LINKING of members and allows AgriProFocus to develop well-informed LEARNING activities for our members

2. Youth Learning Labs


Developed by several countries already, we propose to organize youth specific learning labs.



Expert updates on specific techniques, Q&A, peer review sessions on the existing methods, and field visit on the topic, can all be part of the learning lab experience.



It LINKS youth from one particular value chain and it is a LEARNING event for youth proposed by the members giving expert advice.

Expert updates on specific techniques, Q&A, peer review sessions on the existing methods, and field visit on the topic, can all be part of the learning lab experience.

3. Youth Caravan

3. Youth Caravan

The caravan is a bus tour where youth go and meet and learn from actors from different value chains while sharing their own experiences with other young people

3. Youth Caravan

The caravan is a bus tour where youth go and meet and learn from actors from different value chains while sharing their own experiences with other young people

The caravane is about LINKING young people, it is about LEARNING from other successful entrepreneurs and working on a community of youth that can take LEADERSHIP in agri-food challenges.

Does this mean you cannot organize other youth activities?


No, you can still organize other youth activities. Flagship projects are simply meant to inspire you and facilitate your work with youth.


No, you can still organize other youth activities. Flagship projects are simply meant to inspire you and facilitate your work with youth.

Currently the Youth Focal points are working on templates for those different flagship projects. They will be shared with everyone soon!

Finally, we also identified specific value chains that are promosing for youth


Diary is particulary interesting for youth in east-Africa



Horticulture; including onions, shallots (Sahel zone), tomatoes, fruits.



Horticulture; including onions, shallots (Sahel zone), tomatoes, fruits.

Poulty and fish farming

Stay tuned, there is lots yet to come!


Read the two-pager on the meeting for more information



Stay connected with the youth focal point in your country



Stay connected with the youth focal point in your country

A youth strategy paper and outlines for the flagship projects will be availible early next year

For a successful youth community

For a successful youth communityWe need your participation


Stay involved


Stay involved

Share your ideas


Stay involved

Share your ideas

Join the movement!


Stay involved

Share your ideas

Join the movement!

Agriprofocus.com/youth for debates, discussion and inspiration. Feel free to post ideas, share experiences and start debates

Summary Youth strategy Meeting AgriProFocus

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