IFAD Archives - IITA News

Credit access impacts productivity among Tanzanian youth agripreneurs

Horticulture, an aspect of agriculture practiced by millions of youths across Africa, has helped improve the livelihoods of a vast majority living in poverty and struggling to find employment. The continent hosts the world’s youngest population of around 200 million youths aged 15–24 years, with many of them in rural areas engaging in farming activities…

Experts share opportunities in the Nigerian agricultural sector

On 5 July, the United Nations Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) in Nigeria launched the maiden edition of an agribusiness Master class series, themed “The Business of Agriculture in Nigeria”. The series educates Nigerians on the immediate, mid-, and long-term opportunities for Agri-Entrepreneurship in Nigeria to help potential entrepreneurs and investors understand its broad dynamics…

Enhancing youth’s willingness to engage in agripreneurship

With about 14% of Nigerian youth experiencing unemployment in 2020, research showed that youth between 15 and 24 years are not only available for employment but are actively seeking various means of employment. The huge youthful population in Nigeria faces high rates of unemployment, underemployment, and poor livelihood. A recent study by IITA–CARE youth researcher…

Access to infrastructure can increase youth engagement in agriculture

Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the youth unemployment rate is among the world’s highest. While graduate unemployment is a major concern for the Republic of Benin’s government, a study carried out under the IITA–CARE project—sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) across 10 African countries—explored factors that can influence the country’s youth to venture into agribusiness. Despite the opportunities for self-employment…

Female youth agripreneurs in the field, gathering data on pearl millet.

ICT adoption can increase crop productivity among young farmers in Tanzania!

Studies have shown that the involvement of Africa’s youth in rural development and agriculture will not only boost food security on the continent but also strategically provide solutions to the prevailing problem of unemployment plaguing African societies. However, youth participation in these areas in most African countries is very low. Many factors are responsible for…

Agrihub launch: Partners meet to map out project plan

On 13 and 14 July, the team of partners working on the implementation of the Integrated Agribusiness Hub project organized a virtual workshop to discuss strategies to actualize project goals. The ceremonial inception workshop was organized to officially launch the project and create an avenue for partners and representatives of donor organizations to share views…

IFAD-CARE sponsored study focuses on Agribusiness to tackle unemployment in rural Africa

Policymakers in Africa have been called upon to adopt sustainable ways to address the rate of employment among youth across the continent. In a study carried out by Esther Lombe Kwaambwa, under the IFAD-sponsored CARE project being implemented by IITA, youth unemployment, currently estimated at 23%, is projected to double with Africa’s youth population expected…

Over 400 applications received for CARE fellowship from across Africa

Following the call for applications, the Enhancing Capacity to Apply Research Evidence (CARE) in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa project received over 400 applications from across Africa for the three-year research grant. The fellowship under the framework of the CARE project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural…

IYA celebrates success in its youth empowerment programs for 2019

Since its inception in 2012, the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) has been working tirelessly, creating capacity development programs and projects to engage youth in agribusiness. Although IYA has experienced challenges in accessing funds and credit facilities to assist some of the trained youth in establishing and expanding their agribusinesses, about 7,000 youth have benefited from…

IITA DG and Board Chair visit IFAD President to strengthen IFAD-IITA partnership

On 13 December at the IFAD headquarters in Italy, the Director General, Nteranya Sanginga, and Board Chair, Amos Namanga Ngongi of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), met with Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The purpose of the meeting was to brief the IFAD President on IITA’s progress…