Our country needs to undergo youth mindset transformation to change
their negative perceptions towards agriculture in a bid to attract more
youths in agribusiness undertakings, a move that will curb the current
unemployment challenge.
This can be done through provision of education to youth on entrepreneurship initiatives through trainings, workshops, media and making an easy access to capital through provision of loans with lower interest rates and grants to attract their effective involvement in the pliantly available agribusiness.
This stems from the fact that agriculture has continued and remains the only sector that has provided employment opportunities to 70 per cent of the population in the country, leaving only 30 per cent to be shared by other sectors of economy and the formal sector.
Activities like poultry keeping, dairy farming, training and advisory, agroforestry, fishery and cottage as well as agro-processing industries for agri based foods, are important avenues for youths to focus on essential sources of income and livelihood. Speaking at the launch of the Tanzania Youth in Agribusiness Forum (TYIAF) held in Morogoro recently, Prof Chen said despite the challenges youths face; they remain key drivers and ambassadors of agricultural sector transformation in the country.
"Youths have the greatest potential of changing agricultural business landscape not only in the country but also at the global level, they only need courage, determination and positive attitude towards embracing agricultural sector," said Prof Chen.
This can be done through provision of education to youth on entrepreneurship initiatives through trainings, workshops, media and making an easy access to capital through provision of loans with lower interest rates and grants to attract their effective involvement in the pliantly available agribusiness.
This stems from the fact that agriculture has continued and remains the only sector that has provided employment opportunities to 70 per cent of the population in the country, leaving only 30 per cent to be shared by other sectors of economy and the formal sector.
Activities like poultry keeping, dairy farming, training and advisory, agroforestry, fishery and cottage as well as agro-processing industries for agri based foods, are important avenues for youths to focus on essential sources of income and livelihood. Speaking at the launch of the Tanzania Youth in Agribusiness Forum (TYIAF) held in Morogoro recently, Prof Chen said despite the challenges youths face; they remain key drivers and ambassadors of agricultural sector transformation in the country.
"Youths have the greatest potential of changing agricultural business landscape not only in the country but also at the global level, they only need courage, determination and positive attitude towards embracing agricultural sector," said Prof Chen.
The solution to the problem of food insecurity
as the population increases lies in our hands as Tanzanian youths. Some ways we
can have a good start as successful agric-entrepreneur (Agroprenuer) is to do
the following:
- Take active interest and grow a passion for agriculture and its business and a particular aspect that can network other areas as a cycle.
- Think Big with a business plan and entrepreneurial advice from Banks, consultants but always start small, within the capacity you can afford and handle.
- Be well informed about the aspect of agriculture you want to go into especially the risks involved and the market value of product at each stage of the value chain.
- Network with other young people. There are a lot of youth out there who are already into agriculture. Attend Seminars and workshop on agriculture and agribusiness even if you have to pay.
- Acquire practical knowledge. Read books, manuals, journals and work for others on their farms to gain experience and exposure.
- Get training in business planning, marketing and management it has proved very helpful because a major challenge of most agriculturists in Nigeria is their inability to build a business plan and market to their products.
- .Be ready to be a team player, most aids from the government and the Bank of Agriculture sometimes require you are in a group of ten or there about. So start watching out for young people you can join hands and work together.
