AGRA supports youth in agri-sector

DAR ES SALAAM: ALLIANCE for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is investing about 40 million US dollars (about 106.2bn/-), to empower the youth in Tanzania’s agriculture sector.

This was announced during the opening of a youth workshop on agriculture held in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

The workshop attracted over 110 young people in the sector. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Mweli, said the main goal is to listen to the opinions of the youth, understand the challenges they face, and determine what needs to be done to achieve the goals set for the agriculture sector.

“The government is aware of what the youth want and need and that is the reason they are here to discuss what challenges they face in the agriculture sector, what is needed to be improved and also what to be done to smoothen the challenges that they face,” said Mr Mweli.

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He added that the Building-a- Better -Tomorrow Project (BBT) started to empower women and youth in agriculture and to figure out solutions by including them and giving them the room to speak about what they experienced and what needs to be changed.

Mr Mweli added, “there are challenges that we cannot deny and that is why this forum will allow youth in agriculture to discuss together what they think will be possible solutions to all that they face to smoothen the agriculture process for them.”

He added that youth have the right to be supported by the government, and it will do so for all those in need, through various agricultural stakeholders, including AGRA, assistance will be provided to empower the youth in the agriculture sector.

AGRA Country Director, Mr Vianey Rweyendela stated they have joined about 110 Tanzanian youth in agriculture to discuss a way forward on how to deal with the challenges that they face in the agricultural sector in the country.

“Researchers say the country’s economy is growing by 5.2 per cent, but this growth does not reach individuals because the rapidly growing sectors employ few people.

Since agriculture employs a large segment of the population, we have decided to invest heavily in this sector to ensure that economic growth benefits all the individuals,” said Mr Rweyendela.

Mr Rweyendela said the agriculture budget has increased fivefold since President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office, this means that there are enhancement services and incentives for individual economic growth so that economic growth can benefit each individual.

He added, “if you want to develop agriculture, it is essential to consider the large population, particularly women and youth in Tanzania.

This group is primarily based in rural areas and is heavily involved in farming.” The Director of KIKOMBO Avocado Farm from Mafinga, Mr Emanuel Kisinda, stated that agriculture is the backbone of the economy.

He said, “investment in the agriculture sector is crucial to help youth grow in this field and to involve them more so they can benefit from the opportunities available in the sector.”

Furthermore, Ms Mkami Tetere mentioned many challenges in the agriculture sector, including the lack of proper education on seed preservation and how to obtain quality seeds without incurring high costs when the farming season arrives.

“We believe that through this workshop, we will learn better ways to preserve seeds and use the knowledge gained from our fellow youth to improve our agricultural businesses and achieve economic empowerment,” she emphasised.