Agriculture continues to be the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, accounting for more than a quarter of the country’s GDP. However, the majority of workers in the sector are in subsistence agriculture and decry limited access to capital and markets. These challenges are particularly acute for young people, who represent the bulk of the workforce but face high rates of unemployment and underemployment.

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Dr Abdallah Utumatwishima, Rwanda’s Minister of Youth, emphasized that it’s time for young people in agriculture to shine, be supported, and be recognised for the transformation they are bringing to the sector.

Utumatwishima particularly lauded the ‘trailblazers’ who continuously create and utilise technology in agriculture. He believes that these individuals are seizing opportunities presented to them, changing the narrative that agriculture is only meant for the old, the poor, or those with limited options.

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He made the statement at the closing event of the ‘Buy from Youth’ campaign on June 15 at Radisson Blu and Convention Centre.

The ‘Buy from Youth’ campaign was launched to reduce youth unemployment and underemployment in agribusiness by creating market linkages and decent jobs. It targeted four key horticultural value chains, including tomatoes and passion fruits, which were identified as having significant potential to offer employment opportunities to young farmers.

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The campaign, which ran for four days, brought together a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector actors, youth groups, and development partners, to share experiences and discuss the way forward.

One of the major objectives of the campaign was to reinforce the commitment of big buyers and industries to buy from young agripreneurs. This led private sector actors such as Inyange Industries, SORWATOM, Urwibutso Enterprise, and a range of hotels such as Marriot, Radisson Blue, Mille Collines, Park Inn, Ubumwe Grand, M-Hotel, Onomo Hotel, and Grand Legacy to sign agreements and commitments to support the youth through capacity-building and market linkages.

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Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), assured of the government’s commitment to give room for young people’s innovation.

"The value chains of horticulture in Rwanda have the potential to generate more income for farmers, particularly for young agripreneurs. The sector offers numerous opportunities, ranging from production, processing, transportation, and marketing. It’s time for young people to take advantage of these opportunities, and I assure them that the government is committed to supporting them,” he said.

The campaign also sought to initiate contract farming between big buyers and young agripreneurs, as well as support the youth to acquire modern agricultural tools and inputs such as greenhouses for tomatoes, seeds, and pest treatment for both tomato and passion fruit to increase regular production.

There was also capacity-building of youth involved in both passion fruit and tomato to enable them to meet the required standards.

"For a long time, agriculture has been perceived as a sector for the poor and uneducated. But I have always believed that agriculture could be a lucrative business, capable of impacting people’s lives positively. Which is why I founded a company that specialises in producing cosmetic care for skin and hair using locally sourced natural ingredients that also employs fellow young people,” said Dr Marie Solange Uwineza, founder of Soledivom Company Ltd, one of the agripreneurs who exhibited her products at the event.

Other key achievements of the campaign included the Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board’s commitment to providing resources and technical backstopping for young farmers. The Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF) played a coordination role for young people in agribusiness, while development partners such as FAO and IFAD provided technical and financial assistance.