Conference on young people, farming & food holds in Accra

Issues related to the changes, challenges and policy implications for the development of the Africa's agrifood sector and the involvement of youth will be discussed at an international conference in Accra, Ghana from 19-21 March, 2012.

The forum dubbed “Young People, Farming and Food” will debate research findings and policy options for youth engagement in agriculture.

It is organized by the Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) and the Institute of Statistical and Social Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana.

In Africa, policy interest in linking young people to agriculture focuses almost exclusively on the challenge of keeping young people in rural areas and engaged in farming. This approach ignores important drivers, trends and developments that are impacting on both young people's aspirations and the structure of the agrifood sector.

In the coming years, the agrifood sector in Africa will undergo significant transformation that will result in both challenges and opportunities for young people, depending on who and where they are.

Perhaps most importantly, the agrifood sector will become an increasingly important source of formal employment for young people, with a significant expansion of employment opportunities in food marketing, processing, retail, catering, research, input sales, among others.

These jobs will generally require higher levels of education and different skills, and many will be located in or near urban areas.

The upcoming conference will therefore examine research and policy perspectives relating to current thinking about effective approaches for how young people can engage with the agrifood sector in Africa – as producers, entrepreneurs, employees, consumers and citizens.

Participants will also look at how the agrifood sector is changing, due to technology, urbanization and economic growth, and the implications for young people to be involved in processing, marketing, retail, input supply and research.

Alternative approaches for the development of the agrifood sector and implications for young people taking into account young people's interests, goals and aspirations will also be explored.

Speakers expected to address the conference include Kwesi Ahwoi, Ghana's Minister for Food and Agriculture; Rev. Dr. Sam Asuming Brempong, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Ghana – Legon, and FAC-CAADP Coordinator for Future Agricultures Consortium; Dr. Namanga Ngongi, President, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); and Professor Ramatu Al-Hassan, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Ghana – Legon.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv Fm/Ghana