Unveiling the participants of the young progressive farmers’ workshop

Effective and efficient solutions for increasing sustainable agriculture are important for Africa. This has become necessary due to the challenges posed by the ongoing rapid urbanization. The needed interventions are to safeguard natural resources while ensuring the availability of nutritious food as well as viable opportunities for the next generation of farmers in the agri-food sector.

In this vein,  Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Rikolto (former VECO East Africa) are organizing an interactive workshop to be held in Mbale, Uganda for young farmers in East Africa from the 25^th to 29^th March 2019. In this workshop, participants will get to interact, learn and share ideas on best practices of agriculture. This exchange will focus on strengthening rural and urban linkages for sustainable food and agriculture. The key goal is to increase the capacity of young progressive farmers in sustainable agriculture practices that can lead to sustainable development and stronger rural and urban linkages.

Meet the young progressive farmers

As part of a selection process for participants, a call for applications targeting youth involved in agricultural activities in Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Rwanda was made on the 3^rd of February 2019 with a deadline of 12^th February 2019.         

Among the criteria for selection of applicants were the applicants’ validity as a member of YPARD; citizenship of an East African country and; interest, knowledge and active involvement in agriculture, food systems, and youth empowerment. Further evaluation criteria considered the workshop focus, inclusivity aspects and the number of applications per country.

As a result, after a highly competitive selection process, the review committee zeroed in on the following forty (40) out of the six hundred and eighty one (681) strong applicants:

List of prioritized applicants

DRC Participants

• Herve Mambomba Bondonga
• Aime Kamosi Kazika
• Nzambi Tshikandama Raissa
• Angelo  Pascal Tubibu

Kenya Participants

• Irene Njoki Kagera
• Lenin Odhiambo Nyakinya
• Zipporah Njoki Wahome
• Priscillah Wangeci Kinyua
• Joyce Njeri Ndung'u
• Sarah Wambui Itambo
• Eric Kenneth Muthomi
• Ronald Diang'a
• Sarah Nangami  Wanyonyi
• Kevin Odour Lunzalu

Rwanda Participants

• Jean Damascene Tuyizere
• Mutuzo Rwiyereka Gloria
• Pacifique Nshimiyimana
• Erneste Ntakobangize
• Jean Claude Habimana

Tanzania Participants

• Elia Wiston Kinshaga
• Peter Heri
• Emanuel Ng'ambwa Kungu
• Costantine Edward
• Patrick  Patrick  Kawogo
• Irene Faustine   Ngatena
• Beatrice Hillary  Haule
• Ziada Salum Mtakimwa

Uganda Participants

• Zepher Kisambira Ntende
• Laureene Reeves Ndagire
• Christopher Kasamba
• Hadijah S. Nantambi
• Allan Ahimbisibwe
• Ziadah Nakabiri
• Denis Okwir
• Idi Mukasa Bate
• Charles Lwanga Tumuhe
• Winnie  Tushabe
• Milly Namwanje
• Benjamin Siya Cherotwo
• Porito Paddle Abomugisha

Congratulations, Guys!

The costs related to the workshop for all selected participants including international flights, local transport, accommodation and meals during the workshop will be covered by the organizers.

Towards the end of the workshop, participants will develop a  post-workshop project proposal document for supporting young farmers in the region to strengthen rural and urban linkages for sustainable food and agriculture. Even more exciting, the participants will implement a post-workshop mini-project in their respective communities to empower youth in agriculture.

We express our sincere appreciation to the many who took the time to respond to our call for applications to the Training and Knowledge Sharing Workshop for Young Progressive Farmers to Promote the Urban Food Agenda in East Africa.

We are grateful to all the applicants who expressed interest in being part of the workshop and we look forward to our continued engagement together as we advance the cause of the network.