Graziano was in Kigali for a two-day conference (20th-21st) that discussed Youth Employment in the agricultural sector on the African continent.
Via his twitter wall, Graziano expressed his satisfaction for meeting President Kagame and further thanked him for his will and commitment at fostering rural development.
“My satisfaction to meet again @PaulKagame, now during my official visit to Rwanda, and to witness his commitment and leadership as @_AfricanUnion (African Union) President in fostering rural development and jobs for the African youth,” Graziano tweeted.
On Monday, as he officiated the International conference, Graziano said that the lack of participation from the Youth in Agriculture was due to the challenges it met such as lack of market, lack of knowledge on the matter, among others.
Graziano further said that governments needed to take action to make agriculture more attractive to young people.
“To tap the potential of the agri-food value chain in terms of job creation, we need to promote a new kind of rural transformation. We need to urbanize rural areas.” Graziano said
Yesterday, Graziano visited a FAO poultry project funded by the African Union, in Gakenke District. The project has provided decent employment opportunities to the Youth and improved the nutrition of families in the district.
“On my way back to Rome, I leave Rwanda very optimistic: youngsters are ready to fulfill their potential as a #ZeroHunger generation and to lead the way for a more peaceful, sustainable world. It is up to us, all of us, to create them the necessary opportunities to make this happen!” Graziano tweeted
In Rwanda, most people living in rural areas are employed in the agriculture sector. Investing in rural development promotes diversification in creation of jobs, improves food systems and consequently eliminates hunger and unemployment.
FAO has been supporting the Government of Rwanda in this sector by providing technical skills to farmers to develop their entrepreneurial capacities among others.
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