Often referred to as ‘the future’, the youth’s engagement in various fields in agriculture was discussed and considered vital during a workshop in Kigali on March 7.

The workshop aimed at sharing learning experiences on youth service provision in the agricultural sector, and giving access to finance to the youth in the sector.

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Some of the trainees at the workshop, dubbed ‘STARLIT’ (Strengthening Agriculture Resilience through Learning and Innovation) and organised by Cordaid— an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organisation—told The New Times that the training was very helpful to them.

24-year-old Pascaline Kampire from Kayonza was trained to use and maintain some of the machinery in agriculture. "It is such a privilege to be among the very few females who can maintain those machines that are used in cultivation. It is not just a source of income but also a motivation to consider a career in farming. If tractors are available, then why can’t we invest in this business?,” she said.

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Many young people perceive agriculture as an odd job, while Kampire considers it a safe bet when done with the right skills and innovation.

Speaking to The New Times, Octave Nshimiyimana, the director general of Agricultural Value Chain and Trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), which is also the Seven Year Government Programme, set a target of areas under irrigation to increase from 48,508 ha (2017) to 102,284 ha in 2024. Currently, 68,126 ha are complete and mechanisation is at 36%.

"We know that climate change is a concern and so the seasons have changed and drought may attack some places. Rwanda decided to look further and brought some irrigation methods which should still be strengthened. So far the country has 501, 509 ha as the elaborated potential in the Revised Irrigation Master Plan,” Nshimiyimana said.

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He said youth who are still sceptical about agriculture need more training and skills sessions and financial support so that they can easily get started.

Bonifride Mukatabaruka, a Kayonza District resident, and president of the ‘Duteraninkunga Nyamarebe’ cooperative that specialises in maize farming told The New Times that being trained to do agriculture professionally with more innovation has helped them a lot.

"We are able to get the best harvest even if the climate is not friendly. We were trained on how to use irrigation machines and got three tonnes of harvest, we are now harvesting eight tonnes yet drought is around the corner,” he said.

Delphine Ikuzwe, a trainee and proud farmer by her own admission, urged the youth to never take agriculture for granted. "Investing in agriculture is no longer a thing to do for fun, it is a business like any other. It is not that easy, but today we have technology that people can use, for example, phones to get information, free of charge, and in a very time-saving way. I use some cultivation tractors and the irrigation machines and handle their maintenance, and that’s a good source of income for me,” she said.

Cordaid’s country director, Patrick Birasa, explained why STARLIT chose the youth, "We want young people to know that it is more than just being dirty in agriculture. Having the youth engaged in this field is the only guarantee towards the best future of the agriculture sector.”