IITA CARE Archives

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…

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…

Researcher and IITA-CARE awardee, Adedotun Seyingbo.

Researcher calls for intervention to promote youth engagement in agriculture

The growing population in Africa poses both opportunities and challenges for its economy. In Nigeria, more than half the population are under 30 years of age, posing a significant challenge for policymakers in providing quality jobs for these youth. However, since agriculture is a major source of employment and livelihood, youth move between farm and…

Enesi, interviewing a cassava farmer in Ogun State

IITA-CARE awardee calls for promotion of youth engagement through ICT-based policies

Outdated agricultural practices, lack of policy support, and poor access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have reduced employment opportunities for youth in agriculture and agribusiness. As a result, youth who are supposed to improve the productive efficiency of the agricultural sector and achieve the sustainable development goals, including food security and zero hunger, now…

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…

Tanzania: Postharvest innovations key to raising youth involvement in horticulture

Horticulture is a field of agriculture that involves a short growing season averaging three months and offers quick yields and returns on investments despite the high rate of postharvest losses. In Tanzania, with the Government-initiated National Strategy for Youth Involvement in Agriculture (NYSIA) for 2016–2021, horticulture is one viable option that would give Tanzanian youth…

Youth participation in agriculture is projected to be a big income earner

Youth under IITA-CARE tackle agricultural challenges

Despite the ongoing global crisis, grant recipients of the Enhancing Capacity to Apply Research Evidence (CARE) project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are working against odds and around the challenges to deliver cutting-edge agricultural solutions to achieve Africa’s goal of zero hunger. With the supervision of scientists from CGIAR-IITA, these young…

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…

IFAD-CARE contributing to policymaking through research

With Africa’s population set to double by 2050, according to a report from the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) in Washington, there is a growing sense of urgency about the need to address the issues of food insecurity, youth unemployment, and poverty across the Continent. Studies have shown that to address these key issues, which can…

Group photograph of the IFAD CARE training participants and their facilitators

CARE Fellowship awardees equipped with relevant research skills to enhance agribusiness in Africa

On 2–6 June, IITA organized a workshop for the 20 successful fellows that qualified for the research grant for “Enhancing Capacity to Apply Research Evidence (CARE) in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa,” funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).