Forum for Agricultural Research in AfricaForum for Agricultural Research in Africa

Regional Workshop on Engaging the youth in the implementation phase of

CAADP

May 9th and 10th, 2013

Workshop Objectives Workshop Objectives

• To define the best-fit role for the youth in the achievement of the overall goal of CAADP

• To propose a strategy, for the consideration of African policy-makers, for preparing, equipping, and enabling the youth to play this role

Expectations of the workshop

Discuss in pairs:

i) One burning question that I have come into the workshop with regarding youth involvement in the implementation phase of CAADP;

ii)One outcome which, we must achieve in order for this workshop to have been worthwhile.

Input on strategy-development

A strategy... • Is about choice-making...• Defines a desired future based on the lessons

from today...• Is more about the “how” than the “what”...• Is a high-leverage response to contextual

challenges and opportunities

Establishing the best-fit role for the youth in CAADP

Preparation for group discussion...fitting the pieces of the puzzle...

1. Building the agric value chain

2. Establishing and differentiating the characteristic features of the youth in relation to agriculture

– Attitudes– Interests – Potential– Needs

3. Which aspects of the value chain are best suited for the youth’s participation and contribution

Discussion

Consensus• Youth have are suited for all levels of the agric value chain

– Youth are needed at all levels of the agric value chain– Youth interested in all levels, but weakest level of interest at

production level• The fundamental issue is that agric is not an attractive

economic option for the youth– Enabling policies and infrastructure are needed at all levels of

the value chain to present agric as an attractive, lucrative economic option for the youth

– Special attention is needed to attract youth to production levels of value chain.

Discussion

Identifying a unique role for the youth within CAADP• Role of traditional farmers – custodians of indigenous farming

methods• Role of the youth?? • - a bridge between old and new agric technology? ( honouring the

old technologies; catalysing innovation in agricultural technologies?

• -driving cross-learning, networking? • - policy-influencing in agric?• - driving small scale business development?

Group work

Country level policies and progress• What has been your country’s policy response

to the fundamental issue of non-attractiveness of agric to the youth?

• Where are the gaps and opportunities in govt policies and provision for attracting the youth to the various levels of the value-chain?

• What are common themes and differences in your country experiences

Group work

Review of regional level policy framework (CADP/MTOP) through youth lens...

What statements can we incorporate into FARA’s MTOP to:

i) Recognize the contribution the youth can bring to CAADP especially in the KIS phase

ii) Advocate the enabling policy and infrastructural environment necessary to enable them contribute to CAADP goals

iii) To ensure that African policy-makers accept, commit to and make adequate provision for the role of the youth in agric

iv) To ensure the youth contribute to CAADP

Day Two Group work

Group One

Working from a focus on FARA MTOP...

1. Re-cap the challenges constraining youth participation at the various levels of the agric value chain

2. Cluster these challenges under FARA’s five service areas

3. Suggest specific statements to incorporate under/within FARA’s strategic priority areas, that will articulate FARA’s responsiveness to these challenges

Day Two Group work

Group Two

Working from:• A focus on the youth – characteristics, interests,

potential, needs...

1. Couch a broad goal for the youth in CAADP

2. Suggest specific objectives that CAADP should seek to achieve in relation to youth engagement in agric in the KIS phase

Day Two Group work

Group Three

Working from:• A country-level perspective • Focus on enabling environment vis-a-vis the

components of the agric value chain...

1. Re-cap the challenges constraining youth participation in the various levels of the agric value chain

2. Suggest country-level strategies to attract and enable the youth to participate at all levels of the value chain

Forum for Agricultural Research in AfricaForum for Agricultural Research in Africa