As the Africa Food Systems forum ends on September 6, in Kigali, youth in agribusiness have called for “fund for youth’s startups in agribusiness in Africa” to be considered in the resolutions which organizers could come up with. ALSO READ: Africa Food Systems forum raises alarm over land degradation About 200 youth were given space at the summit including an area dubbed “youthdome” where they gathered and shared bankable business ideas in agribusiness. ALSO READ: How youth-led innovations can boost agriculture Gilbert Niyonkuru, an entrepreneur from Nyagatare District, and his group thought of creating White Bridge Association (WBA) company when they were still studying animal production at University of Rwanda’s College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. He said he needs finance to scale up his project. “We rear poultry as a group of youth. If we get more finance, it is possible to expand our business. Participating in the AFS forum was a good opportunity for us and we want resolutions that include scaled up finance for youth with startups in agribusiness. There are huge opportunities but land and finance is a big challenge,” he said. ALSO READ: Only 18% of youth in agriculture use agri-tech innovation; survey He said the fund could also enhance education about farming practices and agricultural chain up to the grass roots level among children and youth. Latifah Imanishimwe, another youth in agribusiness, said that there is a need for connecting youth in agribusiness to potential financiers and financial institutions to be able to implement solutions and business ideas they proposed during the forum. “We want the government to enhance education about farming among children and youth at early stages given that it is still dominated by old people,” she said. ALSO READ: Venture capital available for Rwandan youth in agribusiness Cynthia Umutoniwase, another youthful entrepreneur who is producing organic pesticides, said her business is still at its nascent stage. She also said that the forum’s resolutions should consider mobilizing funding for youth’s startups in agribusiness. “We need capacity building and finance for viable and innovative business projects. Youth have no capital. We need to be linked to banks and the issue of lack of collaterals should also be examined and addressed,” she said. Youth with disabilities considered Emerance Mukeshimana, a deaf ideapreneur who participated in the AFS forum, said she has a job in Masaka Dairy firm but needs more finance to invest in vegetable and bean farming to be able to also create jobs. “The forum’s resolutions should also consider special groups such as youth with disabilities. I have a business idea but funding is a challenge since my parents are also needy. People with disabilities should not beg,” she said. During the youth’s space, a group of young entrepreneurs from Mozambique was recognized for a business idea meant to integrate people with disabilities in agriculture. “We were awarded $1,000 for the best idea we named “Inclusive Africa”,” said Dirce Vicente, the founder of Agri Impact which links farmers to markets in Mozambique. Other business ideas that were recognized at the summit include those to develop climate resilient crops through agricultural biotechnology and developing digital tools to offer farming services. Lagat Henry, Lead - Generation Africa at AGRA, said youth from different African countries were gathered in groups to come up with new initiatives and solutions to problems facing agriculture in Africa. “Those with the best solution ideas will be followed up and they get mentorship,” he said. On Friday, Rwanda presented its legacy programme as the forum came to a close. It was a key moment where countries presented their investments to potential partners. Rwanda’s Food Systems Legacy Programme (LP) is a coherent, high-quality programme that translates the Government of Rwanda’s PSTA-5 (Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation – 5) into a bankable investment programme. The Legacy Program on Food Systems aims to provide the country with a more operational and bankable investment. This session aimed to mobilize partners to support the country’s strategy to create jobs for youth and women in agri-food systems. The goal is to foster economic growth, reduce poverty and youth and women unemployment, and increase household income, improve food security and nutrition whilst fostering resilience which in will expedite the industrialization of the country.
