Can mechanization drive youth into agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa? Join the online discussion

Despite being on the agenda for several decades, agricultural mechanization still shows very low levels of adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Youth involvement in agriculture is hindered by the drudgeries attached to mainly hand labour based farming that surround the sector.

FAO Technologies and Practices for Small Agricultural Producers (TECA) Platform—with support from FAO AGPM, GFAR and YPARD—has launched an online discussion examining the question “Can mechanization drive youth into agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa?". Participants will exchange their views and insights on questions such as:

• What are the challenges youth face before getting into agriculture?
• What role does mechanization play in improving production levels in agriculture in SSA?
• How may information and communication technology (ICT) facilitate the mechanization process?
• To what extent may ICT- backed mechanization drive the youth into agriculture?

The TECA platform makes available practical information on a wide range of proven practices and technologies to a global audience. This is its first moderated discussion on the topic of Agricultural Mechanization.

All are welcome to join this discussion on how ICT could reshape the machinery services sector in SSA. The moderated discussion will be held from 3 to 15 April, with a new question being asked every couple of days.

The organizers would appreciate your further dissemination to your contacts and networks. Please contact charles.plummer(at)fao(dot)org to request a social media toolkit.