Youth engagement in agriculture has in recent times been a trending topic. Furthermore, engagement of youth in the sector has been identified as a sure way to revitalize the sector while boosting productivity, environmental protection, and improving livelihoods. As the contribution of youth in building sustainable food systems cannot be overemphasized, The Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) is partnering with Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) to showcase through the 8th Africa Agribusiness and Science Week (AASW) the exceptional initiatives that Africa’s youth are involved in across various aspects of the agricultural value chains.
Through an array of parallel and side event discussions scheduled as part of the AASW from 5th to 8th June 2023, YPARD in collaboration with the partners of the AASW is facilitating the promotion of greater inclusion of youth in the strategic deliberations on agricultural development. Largely, these fora are convened with the thematic focus on, “Linking Science, Innovation, and Agri-Business for Resilient Food Systems.” You are invited to connect with YPARD at the AASW sessions as featured in the following sessions:
Tuesday, 06 June 2023
Mainstreaming Land Rights of the Rural Poor in the Climate Discourse
Partners: Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAR)
YPARD, ANGOC, ILC, FAO
In-Person: 14-15.00, Accra Room B or Online
Youth Panelist: Gcina Dlamini, YPARD Eswatini
Unlocking Business Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs
Partners: COLEAD FARA, PAFO, YPARD
In-Person: 14-16.00, Plenary Hall or Online
Youth Panelist: Nkosephayo Manyatsi, YPARD Eswatini
Advancing the AU-EU Research and Innovation Partnership in the context of the International Research Consortium (IRC)
Partners: Lead:Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), CAADP-XP4, European Commission, Africa Union Commision (ST & DABRE), DSTA-SA, UH-Finland, ACU-UK, SLU-Sweden, CIRAD-France, WUR-The Netherlands, ARC-SA, NRF-SA
In-Person: 15-18.00, Durban Room or Online
Youth Panelist: Genna Tesdall, YPARD Director
Regional Responses to Challenges to Soil Fertility and Sustainability: Exploring Alternatives to Chemical Fertilizers with a Focus on Agroecology
In-Person: 16-17.00, Accra Room B or Online
Youth Panelist: Dinesh Panday (PhD), YPARD Asia-Pacific Communications Coordinator
Wednesday, 07 June 2023
Parallel Session: Knowledge Management, Parallel Session: Digitalization, and Youth Entrepreneurship
In-Person: 11-13.00, Cape Town Room or Online
Moderator: Genna Tesdall, YPARD Director
Youth Keynote Speaker: Kofi Acquaye, YPARD Africa Coordinator
Youth Panelist: Viola Nakadama, YPARD Uganda and EssyMart
How to turn the agrifood sector into an engine of job growth for Africa’s youth
Partners: FARA, PARI and ZEF
In-Person : 14.00 - 16.00, Nairobi Room or Online
Youth Panelists: Kofi Acquaye, YPARD Africa Coordinator; Amanda Namayi, Kenya
CAADP-X4P - CGIAR Knowledge management Session: Acting on a collaborative agenda
In-Person: 14 -17:00, Accra C Room or Online
Youth Panelists: Bebel Nguepi YPARD Cameroon; Paul Atsu, YPARD Ghana
Thursday, 08 June 2023
Announcement of the AgriYouth Africa Hackathon Winners and Honorable Mentions
FARA General Assembly, Time TBD
In-person: Plenary or Online