Under the theme “Engaging Through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Entrepreneurship”, the conference aims at fostering exchange of knowledge and best practices among stakeholders regarding the interfaces between agriculture, youth employment, entrepreneurship, ICT innovations and prioritizing interventions.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it will explore ways to help the youth towards promoting and conserving sustainable agriculture with regard to fulfilling their potential within the sector.
Via their official website, FAO wrote that the conference is aimed at preparing the youth into tapping in the Agricultural sector’s opportunities.
“With over sixty percent of Africa’s estimated 1.2 billion people under the age of 25; yet with little job creation in rural areas where the majority of the population resides, there is a growing uncertainty over the continent’s preparedness to tap this resource. Tens of millions of jobs will have to be created each year in rural areas for Africa to harness the dividends of this youthful population.” reads FAO’s statement
“Agriculture being an essential driver of economic development and an area of great opportunities for young people in Africa, harnessing opportunities in agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovations, including in ICT innovations, along the value chains, contributes to improving the sector’s image, increases productivity and provides new employment opportunities, hence attracting more young people.”
Prior to the conference, an exhibition of innovative products and services for agriculture and rural development by youth and youth-led organizations from across Africa will be set up, a s well as a networking/match making space for the youth and potential investors.
The conference will be attended by grand personalities such as FAO’s Director-General, José Graziano de Silva and the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Li Yong.
Leave a Reply