CASSAVA IN CENTRAL AFRICA: CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALLHOLDERS

Strategy for boosting agribusinessdevelopment along cassava valuechain for young people

NGOUAMBE Nestor, Agroeconomist, YPARD representative Cameroon

INTRODUCTION

Around 240 millions of people still suffered of

food insecurity in subsahara Africa

Lack of opportunity for young people to get

involve with agriculture

Agriculture is not really considered as carreer in

most countries

Low investment in agriculture

CAADP (2003) & Malabo Declaration (2014): engagent

government to invest more in agriculture and create

more opportunities for young and women

Many Africa countries are progressively considered

agriculture as main pillar of their economic growth.

They are now conscious that agriculture is the only

sector able to bring significant change to their respective

economy.

CHALLENGE FOR YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS

Increase Investment and revising agricultural finance policy.

The promotion of microfinance institutions and banks

(Young people and women still have limited access to finance.

Most bank are not motivated to invest in agriculture due to

high risk).

improve Rural infrastructure and rural advisory services ( a

key drive for boosting agribusiness in central Africa).

Promoting Public and private partnership for harmonization

of actions and strategies.

Promote youth platform for experience sharing, lesson learnt

and best practices to let’s some get inspired. (agribusinessTV)

WHAT IS OBSERVED NOW

Some countries (East, South, Western Africa) try to increaseinvestment in agriculture in favor of youth (Youth Agripreneur)and this has significant change on food security, If central Africacountries can copy this example, it would be good for our people.

There are several strategies or development plan with valuableand concrete issues, but those strategies lack a strong operationalplan.

In Cameroon for example, the strategy is to be an emergentcountry in 2035, within the theoretical framework, agriculture isconsider as a cornerstone of this approach. But the total budgetrelated to agriculture is still less than 4%.

This just simple main that, it is not necessary to develop astrategic, but to give means to implement those policies if wewant to face food insecurity.

WHAT IS YPARD ABOUT?

Young professional Platform for Agricultural

development : international movement 4 Youth in

agriculture present in around 60 countries

Vision

Sustainably improved livelihoods worldwide where

young professionals are proactively contributing to

innovative agricultural development.

Mission

To serve as a global collective platform through

which young professionals can realise their full

potential and contribute proactively towards

innovative agricultural development.

Objectives

Facilitate exchange of information and knowledgeamong young professionals across disciplines,professions, age and regions

Broaden opportunities for YPs to contribute tostrategic ARD policy debates

To promote agriculture among young people (activitiesstill under discussion)

Facilitate access to resources and capacity buildingopportunities

YOUTH ARE PROGRESSIVELY INTERESTED TO GET INVOLVE IN

AGRICULTURE

SOME KEY ACTIONS

Realizing Central Africa Agriculture potential by move from

subsistence to true agribusiness, create more value chain

along specific subsectors (roots & tubers (cassava), cereals,,

fruits & legume).

Revigorating agricultural training and education (start

agriculture courses at primary school)

Developing specific programmes for youth agribusiness

Re-organizing farmer into true cooperatives societies

AGRIC COM APPROACH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS –

CASE STUDY : SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDEN PROJECT (2)

A B C D

EFGH

Composting

Workshop

Kids looking for

grass to make

compost

Cover grass

with soil

Compost pile

after watering

Soil bed

preparation

and Manure

mixing

Grass

mulching to

protect

seedlings

Best

vegetables

drawn by kids

Seeds given to

kids for school

and home

practice

Developed Market-driven approach (PIDMA has greatinitiative in Cameroon, but should paid more attention oncooperative managed by young people)

Increase partnership between research-innovation andextension to delivered adaquate services to youngagripreneur

Food security is the global problems, but the challenge is tobe self-sufficient first. The limitation of importation willincrease investment (agribusiness) & food production and willlet more youth get involve.

Can you realized that Africa spent more than 6 billionUSD/year to import rice. More than 3 billion to import wheatflour in Cameroun. If we invest this amount to boost our localcassava production, we can be food secure by creating wealth,employment, and reduce the gap between import and export.

We can end hunger only by increasing food productivity

and availability.

Government should really invest in agriculture, research

and innovation.

youth should be empowered and considered in agri-policy

at national or regional level.

Women must follow some trainings on feeding, nutrition

and sanitation.

WAY FORWARD?

As Youth in Agriculture and agribusiness what can we

do to break the gaps?

What policies issues could be addressed for boosting

agribusiness among youth in central Africa countries

What strategy to advocate about relevant investment

in youth agribusiness venture?

How can ICT could be useful for Youth agribusiness

venture since there are the one dealing most with ICT

tools

MERCI DE VOTRE

ATTENTION

« If agriculture is the engine

able to create more economic

opportunities in Africa, youth

and women are the fuel able to

strengh its power »