Post by Trade Coach on Jun 5, 2017 9:57:47 GMT 1
ENGAGING THE YOUTHS THROUGH AGRICULTURE TO STEM THE RISING TIDE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Much has been said about the place of youths in national development. While their immense contribution is undoubtedly crucial, engaging them however, has been the challenge in Africa, which is why, in the 5th edition of the Africa CEO Forum: Reinventing the African Business Model held in Geveva in March, organised by the African Development Bank (AFDB), the role of the African youth received apt attention. The forum identified the fact that governments across the continent have not sincerely engaged the youths actively in developmental plans. In spite of the gentle strides recorded here and there, youth involvement in projects on the continent has been on the low.
President Muhammadu Buhari a few weeks back inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, to change Nigeria for good. According to the president, the ERGP had brought together all the sectorial plans for agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialisation and social investments together in a single document.
"Our aim simply put, is to optimize local content and empower local businesses. We seek not just to take the Nigerian economy out of recession but to place it on a path of sustained, inclusive and diversified growth. 'We must become a nation where we grow what we eat and consume what we produce. We must strive to have a strong Naira and productive economy and we are determined to change Nigeria from an import dependent country to a producing nation" says Buhari.
While this is a laudable programme, the role of youths in this regard and the present administration's agenda is still yet to take flight. Oftentimes in this part of the world, the favourite dictums of office holders when referring to the youths is that they are the future leaders of tomorrow. But in the face of present realities, the fact is tomorrow is already happening today considering the ambitions of these-young individuals who may have already lost hope in this nation and believe their future lies elsewhere. Many have flown abroad in search of greener pastures, some who are still hustling and trying to cope with the harsh situation harbour hopes of joining their counterparts, while the dejected ones find solace in cyber-crime and other vices. All these overshadow the enterprising ones who has carved a niche for themselves, who also need an enabling environment to fully make there development impactful.
Overtime, the numerous programmes established in the country attests to the nation’s resourcefulness in generating ideas. However, implementing them and continuity seems to be the plight adding more woes on the youths who crave inclusiveness. The growing rate ii unemployment is filling up our statistical ban!: and rising daily. And with more stiff challenges bound to arise in the future, today's problems will be like pieces of cakes that should have been consumed excitedly.
Statistics show that over 50% of youths on the continent are unemployed. Currently unemployment affects more than 20% of the workforce in Nigeria - and is particularly bad among youths. Over 50 million youths are unemployment. And with the numbers rising annually, any programme drawn up will be fruitless if the avenue to tackle the menace is faithfully addressed.
“We must create a better future for African youths’’ says AFDB Vice-President on Private sector Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Pierre Guislain. Referring to the situation of workforce in Africa, he said that it would go from 'about 617 million today to 1.6 billion in 2060’’ which will make it possible to garner a demographic dividend" to stimulate the growth of the continent and support millions of poverty. "We need to prepare for tomorrow's job instead of training for yesterday's jobs," he said.
The pace of development in our present era should not be taken for granted. It will require astute minds and energy to sustain the pace and ensure its consistency which is where the youths come in to play. Stakeholders affirm that I the agriculture sector can serve as a catalyst to drive development and to curb unemployment in Nigeria and on the continent. But so far are the strides promising or is it just another case of one step forward and three steps backwards?
Across all value chains, the agriculture sector remains the largest employer of labour. But to pilot this initiative, the practice must be made attractive for the youths as most believe it is not a highly profitable enterprise and it is labour intensive. Nowadays, agriculture is made easy through mechanisation, the availability of high quality seeds, professional consultation services, private sector investments among others, and have made agriculture more attractive and productive. No doubt, if the enabling environment is available, the agriculture sector can drive growth through actively engaging the youths.
Youths possess the vibrant energy, ambition, drive and passion to succeed in any endeavour embarked upon. This is why one of African
Development Bank's High 5's on "improving the quality of life for the people of Africa" can really assist in tackling unemployment.
The reason is simple, Africa's economic growth has not been rapid or inclusive enough to create enough jobs and improve the quality of life for its people. The major factor responsible for this is governments' lack of sincerity to adequately take advantage of the industrious nature of youths on the continent as evidenced in the entrepreneurial ventures which have not garnered the needed support to really grow in leaps and bounds.
Challenges such as food insecurity and shortage, storage, processing, climate change
will seek these youths to play active roles. Let us face it, we cannot continue to depend on the ageing to grow and develop the agric sector, their roles should exclusively hinge on mentoring and transfer of experience. This way the chain of development becomes all-encompassing and the nation and the youths become better off for it not only for the present day, but also for the future.