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| Antony feeding fish |
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, food production must increase by nearly 60%. This means producing about 2.5 million more tons of grain every day than we currently do. Africa, with over half of the world’s undeveloped arable land and a young, energetic population, is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge.
But for that potential to be realized, young Africans must see agriculture not as a last resort but as a frontier of innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity.
🌱 The Rise of Africa’s Young Agripreneurs
Across the continent, a new generation of passionate young people is transforming farming through creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. These are the change-makers redefining what it means to be a farmer in Africa.
1. Djomakon and the “Let’s Be a Farmer” Movement – Benin
In 2014, Djomakon and his friends launched the blog “Let’s Be a Farmer” to change perceptions of farming among African youth.
“Our goal is to enhance the image of the African farmer — the one who feeds others but remains the poorest and least recognized,” Djomakon writes.
The platform connects rural farmers with aspiring young entrepreneurs, both virtually and in person. By organizing visits for over 120 urban youth to rural farms, the initiative bridges knowledge gaps and creates real appreciation for agriculture as a business and a lifestyle.
2. Mkulima Young—Kenya’s Digital Farming Revolution
Until recently, many Kenyan youth saw farming as outdated or unprofitable. That perception is changing fast, thanks to Mkulima Young, a digital platform founded by Joseph Macharia, a farmer and agricultural expert supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Mkulima (meaning “farmer” in Kiswahili) is more than a website—it’s a vibrant online community where young farmers share experiences, access agricultural advice, and trade produce. The platform even hosts a digital marketplace where farmers can sell their goods directly to buyers, proving that farming is a profitable 21st-century career path.
3. Anthony’s Catfish Empire – Nigeria
In Delta State, Nigeria, Anthony, a 28-year-old entrepreneur, turned his childhood passion for fish farming into a thriving business. Inspired by his mother’s backyard catfish ponds, he now raises fish commercially—buying fingerlings, nurturing them with care, and selling mature fish to local markets.
Anthony’s story embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that Africa’s youth can bring to agriculture—combining tradition with modern methods to create sustainable livelihoods.
4. Jamila Abass and M-Farm—Empowering Farmers with Tech
Another inspiring example is Jamila Abass, a young Kenyan software developer who co-founded M-Farm, a mobile-based agribusiness platform. M-Farm provides farmers with real-time market prices, enables them to buy inputs directly from manufacturers, and connects them with buyers—all via mobile technology.
Jamila’s goal is clear:
“To empower people at the bottom of the pyramid, especially women, with the knowledge and tools to unleash their potential.”
M-Farm demonstrates how technology can bridge the information gap and empower smallholder farmers across Africa.
🌾 Creating Opportunities for Africa’s Young Farmers
While these stories inspire hope, unlocking the full potential of youth in agriculture requires intentional investment, innovation, and policy support. Below are some actionable ways to sustain this movement.
1. Build Capacity through Training and Education
Programs like TechnoServe’s Strengthening Rural Youth Development through Enterprise (STRYDE), supported by the MasterCard Foundation, go beyond teaching agronomic skills. They equip youth with business, leadership, and market-readiness training, helping them view farming as a viable enterprise.
Education systems must also evolve—integrating entrepreneurship, agribusiness, and technology into agricultural studies to make them more relevant and practical.
2. Support Agribusiness Beyond the Farm
Not every agricultural career involves planting or livestock keeping. Young Africans can build businesses in agro-processing, logistics, research, food technology, and agricultural services. Encouraging youth to explore these value-chain opportunities will diversify income sources and modernize the sector.
3. Increase Access to Finance
One of the biggest barriers for youth is a lack of startup capital. Governments and financial institutions can establish Young Farmer Finance Schemes, modeled after successful programs abroad, offering lower collateral requirements and flexible repayment terms to encourage agribusiness startups.
4. Provide Mentorship and Networks
Mentorship is critical in helping young agripreneurs navigate both the technical and business sides of agriculture. The IITA Youth Agripreneurs initiative is a great example. Within its first year, the group cultivated hectares of maize, cassava, and soybean while running seed multiplication and plantain propagation projects. Their model shows how peer-led mentorship can inspire large-scale change.
🌍 The Road Ahead: Youth as Catalysts for Agricultural Transformation
Despite remarkable progress, challenges persist—from limited access to land and finance to gender disparities and outdated policies. Yet, the energy, creativity, and resilience of Africa’s youth remain powerful tools for transformation.
If governments, educators, and the private sector invest strategically in young farmers, Africa could not only feed itself but also feed the world.
Agriculture is no longer just about survival; it’s about innovation, sustainability, and opportunity. And the youth leading this transformation are not just growing crops—they’re growing Africa’s future.
Final Thought
Africa’s fields are calling—not for the old ways, but for new hands with bold ideas.
The next generation of African farmers won’t just work the land; they’ll reimagine it.
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