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Africa has the world’s largest percentage of young people with approximately 65% of the total population below the age of 35 years. On the other hand, Africa also has the highest prevalence of hunger in the world; 70% of Africa’s youthful population reside in rural areas, and their families are farmers who rely predominately on farming as a source of livelihood. Many of these families struggle to increase their productivity which in turn causes the level of their income to remain stagnant and as low as US$2 a day. Nevertheless, agricultural development is vital part of the solution to this dilemma.
Investment in agriculture must made by my fellow African youths in order to ensure sustainable economic growth in Africa. Agriculture in Africa is in need of high-technology and innovation. It needs to be rebranded from a poverty trap to the lucrative and attractive sector that it is.
If we all work together as leaders of this agricultural revolution, the potential for Africa’s economy is endless . We can operate high-tech tractors and drones, read soil maps, interpret weather data, and even access futures markets. Africa has the potential to not just feed itself but to also feed the world. But for this dream to become a reality we need to start taking action.
We as young people have the power and creativity needed to transform the agriculture sector. We are tech-savvy, purpose-driven and entrepreneurial. Agriculture in Africa is a sector full of opportunities that will not only provide jobs and wealth for young agri-preneurs, but also increase the quality of food for Africa’s cumulative population.
There are many agricultural related opportunities for young people to explore. This includes but is not limited to; supplying fertilizers, seeds, processing, transporting equipment, and marketing food. If more youths took advantage of the opportunities in the African agricultural sector in the next few year, the level of unemployment in Africa is more than likely to decrease.
To ensure agriculture in Africa works for youths in Africa, it will take partnerships, investment, training, and mentoring to provide skills and the necessary resources that will allow them to develop and own agribusinesses.
Agriculture in Africa has to be mechanized and modernized. It’s unfortunate that many farmers still use out-of-date farming methods. This is one of the many reasons young people are deterred from venturing into the agricultural sector. The drudgery of its manual labour and outdated tools is not and perhaps will never be appealing to a young person. Mechanizing agriculture will make farming far more attractive to the youth and also to women.
If you are interested in the opportunities in the African agriculture sector- please feel free to register for our Agrique Africa Investment summit 2015
The Agrique Africa Investment Summit, taking place 17-18 November 2015, in Accra, Ghana will bring together over 300 of Africa’s leading Agricultural players, 20+ seasoned speakers, all with the common goal and vision to transform Africa’s Agricultural sector.
With ‘Agricultural Trade And Investment Opportunities in Africa’ being the key theme of the event, the Agrique Africa Investment Summit 2015, offers an invaluable opportunity for businesses with agricultural products or services to meet with Agribusinesses, farmer associations, and Agricultural leaders from across Africa. It also provides an excellent opportunity for Investors to view outstanding Agricultural investment opportunities.
The Agrique Africa Investment Summit is bought to you by Welcome2Africa, headquartered in the UK, Welcome2Africa was founded upon the vision to be leading provider of initiatives that drive investment and trade into Africa, with a current focus on Agriculture. It is now hosting this exclusive event in conjunction with leading players of Agricultural sector, to give their audience and sponsors the opportunity to witness a brilliant collaboration of agribusinesses and investors, a high profile networking platform for agribusinesses, and of course to enjoy the caliber of the event and the opportunities available in the African Agricultural sector.