Two Young African Farmers who are Blazing a Trail in Agriculture

Their passion, resilience, and commitment to transforming their communities through farming are truly inspiring.

Blessing from Zimbabwe: Cultivating Success

Blessing, a 28-year-old dynamo, hails from Mazowe in eastern Zimbabwe. In 2012, he started with a modest 22 potato seed lines on a small plot of land. Through sheer determination and hard work, Blessing expanded his farm to over 10 hectares. His potato yield of 55 tons per hectare surpasses the US average, setting a local record. Notably, Blessing’s farm produces a virus-free potato variety, a testament to his dedication and innovation. He firmly believes that agriculture offers unmatched financial opportunities and is committed to inspiring other young Africans to follow suit¹.

Mercy from Uganda: Nurturing Abundance

Mercy, a passionate 25-year-old, tends to tobacco, maize, and wheat farms in the Goromonzi area near Harare. For a decade, she has championed sustainable practices, walking through her lush wheat and maize plantations with pride. Mercy embodies the spirit of a young farmer leading by example, proving that agriculture can be both fulfilling and economically rewarding¹.

Young People in Africa: A Demographic Snapshot

Africa’s youth population is its greatest asset. In 2023, nearly a billion people in Africa were under the age of 35, representing 22.7% of the world’s total youth population. The continent’s median age is just 18.8 years, making it the youngest globally. However, only 56% of the population falls within the working age group, emphasizing the need to empower young Africans for sustainable development²³.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Aging Demographic: The average African farmer is between 50 and 60 years old, highlighting the urgency to engage young people in agriculture.
• Food Security: To feed the projected 2050 population, global food production must increase by 60%.
• Youth Perception: Some young Africans perceive agriculture as inadequate for improving their living standards.

Introducing the Rural and Urban Agriculture Innovative Production Program (RUAIPP)

• Vision: RUAIPP, initiated by Farmer’s Pride International, aims to revolutionize African agriculture.
• Budget: With a projected budget of $171 million over five years, RUAIPP focuses on high-value, cross-border value chain crops.
• Components:
  • Agroecology farming activities
  • Gender empowerment
  • Self-help microfinance credit schemes
  • Policy influence and advocacy
  • Value chain development
  • Climate change resilience
• Policy Advocacy: RUAIPP advocates for policy reforms to enhance agricultural investments and facilitate cross-border trade, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)⁴.

Linking RUAIPP to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 SDGs provide a shared blueprint for peace, prosperity, and ecological resilience. RUAIPP directly contributes to several SDGs:

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): By empowering young farmers economically.
2. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Through sustainable agriculture and food security.
3. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By involving women like Mercy.
4. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Creating employment opportunities.
5. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Addressing climate change resilience.

Join the Movement!

Young farmers, let’s be part of this transformative journey! Explore RUAIPP, connect with Farmer’s Pride International, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. Together, we can shape a prosperous future for Africa, one harvest at a time. 🌱🌍🌟

Learn more about RUAIPP: Farmer’s Pride International⁴.