Policy, investment & market access for youth in agriculture

Youth involvement in agribusiness has become a topic of increasing importance as the potential of young agri-preneurs remains largely untapped due to challenges such as access to finance and markets. Martin Aketch, Manager on Agriculture & Food Systems at MSC (MicroSave Consulting), discussed the critical role of policy changes and investment opportunities in unlocking the growth of youth in agribusiness in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. One of the key challenges faced by youth in agribusiness is access to finance and markets. Martin emphasized the need for a holistic investment approach to provide shared resources for youth to engage in processing and manufacturing activities. He highlighted the significant investment gap in Africa, estimated at about $1.5 billion, and underscored the importance of government and private sector collaboration to establish effective partnerships that can unlock this investment potential. In addition to shared resources and targeted financial services for youth, Martin emphasized the importance of policy changes to support the growth of youth in agriculture. He noted that while there are existing policies targeting youth in agriculture, these policies often lack direct input from young agri-preneurs. Martin stressed the need for policymakers to involve youth in the policy-making process to ensure that the policies are truly tailored to meet the needs and challenges faced by young farmers. Martin also discussed the importance of empowering youth to become climate-smart agriculture champions. With the looming threat of climate change, young people are poised to play a crucial role in adopting innovative agricultural practices that mitigate environmental impact. He highlighted the role of technology in disseminating information and facilitating the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among young farmers. By leveraging their tech-savvy nature, youth can serve as intermediaries in promoting improved crop varieties, irrigation methods, and integrated farming techniques. Overall, Martin's insights shed light on the transformative potential of policy changes, investment opportunities, and climate-smart agricultural practices in unlocking the untapped potential of youth in agribusiness. As policymakers, investors, and stakeholders work together to create an enabling environment for young agri-preneurs, the agricultural sector stands to benefit from the energy, innovation, and resilience that youth bring to the table.