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In the report, the youth cited lack of financing and training in technology as barriers to youth engagement in agriculture.
- It points to the need for new investments to stimulate access to innovations that could encourage African youth.
While there are a wide range of agritech innovations, only 23 percent of youth engaged in agriculture are using any form of the innovations in Africa, according to a survey by Heifer International.
In the report, “The Future of Africa’s Agriculture: An Assessment of the Role of Youth and Technology”, the youth cited lack of financing and training in technology as barriers to youth engagement in agriculture.
It points to the need for new investments to stimulate access to innovations that could encourage African youth now turning away from agriculture to reconsider opportunities in the sector..
“As a continent with a thriving young population, Africa’s agricultural sector must provide the investments in agritech innovations that will encourage youth to embrace agriculture-related endeavors, because they are the key to revitalizing Africa’s food system,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President for Africa Programs at Heifer International.
The report surveyed 29,900 youths, 299 smallholder farmers, and 110 agriculture technology startups, innovation hubs and technology organizations in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
It identifies challenges faced by smallholder farming communities and potential areas for innovation and growth.
“Youth engagement in agriculture will be essential to recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic, both to rejuvenate the continent’s agri-food system and develop economic opportunities for young Africans,” Ifedi said.
The report identified critical needs for supporting youth to adopt advanced technologies and build businesses that advance Africa’s food security and agri-food systems agenda.
It reveals that access to financial capital, capacity building, and access to land will spur youth interest in agriculture.
Adding that the smallholder farmers will embrace advanced technologies if the tools are affordable and they can receive training in how to use them.
“Agriculture innovations have a pulling power for every stakeholder in the sector. They can create opportunities for young people who might otherwise ignore agriculture while sustainably increasing productivity for smallholder farmers, which can improve their livelihood and stimulate growth in the wider economy,” the report stated.
More than half of Africa’s rural population is employed in the agriculture sector with about 46 per cent coming from Kenya.
Overall, technology adoption in Africa is quite low, the report notes, with Ghana, Senegal and Zambia having the lowest agritech adoption rate.
Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria have the highest adoption rates.