Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economies in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in ensuring the sector’s sustainability and growth, each country has implemented policies aimed at engaging young people in agriculture.

This analysis examines the successes and shortcomings of these initiatives and offers recommendations for enhancement.

Ghana

Ghana is making bold strides in engaging young people in agriculture through the Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP), a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). YIAP is structured into four core areas designed to attract, equip, and sustain youth participation in agribusiness.

Engaged in Crops and Block Farming by allocating land and supplying essential farming inputs, Ghana is fostering a new generation of farmers capable of large-scale production.

Young farmers Livestock and Poultry Development receive critical support, including initial livestock stock, feed, housing, and veterinary services, creating a sustainable livestock industry.

Through training and resource allocation, Fisheries and Aquaculture, the program enables youth to venture into commercial fish farming, a crucial component of Ghana’s food security strategy.

Youth in Agribusiness Development, receive hands-on training in agricultural processing, marketing, and consultancy, strengthening the entire agricultural value chain.

NDC Manifesto

Beyond YIAP, the framework for agricultural development in Ghana, agriculture is further outlined in Chapter 3 of the NDC Manifesto, Resetting Ghana, under the Framework for Industrialization, Revitalization, Support, and Transformation (Ghana First).

Specific interventions include:

Feed Ghana Programme, prioritizing increased agricultural production to enhance food security.

Feed Industry Programme to support local production of livestock feed to reduce dependency on imports.

Agro-Processing Expansion is aimed at creating jobs and enhancing economic growth through value addition.

Market and Value Chain Development is targeted at strengthening linkages from production to distribution to ensure fair pricing and stable market conditions.

Agricultural Infrastructure Enhancement means investing in irrigation, storage facilities, and transportation networks to support increased agricultural productivity.

Innovative Agriculture Financing is focused on developing accessible financing models to support youth entrepreneurs in the sector.

To promote agricultural inclusion, women and marginalized communities will be encouraged to foster a more inclusive agricultural economy.

While Ghana has made significant strides in youth engagement, challenges remain, including limited access to land and financing. Addressing these constraints through policy enhancements and stronger public-private partnerships will be key to sustaining growth in the sector and making agriculture an attractive and profitable career path for the next generation.

Successes:

YIAP has successfully attracted young individuals to view agriculture as a viable career, leading to increased youth participation in the sector.

The program offers a holistic support system, including technical assistance, input provision, and market facilitation, which has enhanced productivity among young farmers.

Some participants struggle to sustain their agricultural activities after initial support ends, indicating a need for more robust exit strategies.

Limited access to land and capital remains a barrier for many aspiring young farmers.

 

Nigeria

Nigeria has implemented several programs to integrate youth into agriculture.

N-Power Agro is part of the National Social Investment Program, that provides young Nigerians with agricultural training and job placements.

A social enterprise Babban Gona, that supports smallholder farmers, particularly youth, by offering training, financial credit, and market access.

Programs like N-Power Agro Skill Development, have equipped many young Nigerians with essential agricultural skills, enhancing their employability.

Initiatives such as Babban Gona have introduced innovative approaches to farming, increasing productivity and income among young farmers.

Despite their potential, these programs have not reached a significant portion of the youth population, limiting their overall impact. Inconsistent funding and support have also hindered the scalability and sustainability of these initiatives.

 

Cameroon

Cameroon’s notable program is the Three-Year Special Youth Plan (TYSYP), which aims to curb youth unemployment by supporting the creation of businesses and jobs in the agro-pastoral sector.

Successes

TYSYP has provided technical and financial assistance to young entrepreneurs, facilitating the establishment of agro-pastoral enterprises.

The program promotes collective entrepreneurship through the creation of Pioneer Villages and Economic Clusters, fostering collaboration among young farmers.

Failures:

Implementation Gaps: Challenges in coordination and resource allocation have impeded the program’s effectiveness.

A lack of awareness about the program among rural youth has resulted in lower participation rates.

Recommendations for Improvement

Enhanced Access to Resources: Governments should facilitate easier access to land, capital, and inputs for young farmers to overcome initial barriers to entry.

Continuous training and mentorship programs can equip youth with the necessary skills to manage and sustain agricultural enterprises effectively.

Establishing strong market connections will ensure that young farmers can sell their produce at fair prices, enhancing profitability.

Policy Continuity will mean ensuring the sustainability of programs beyond political cycles, which is crucial for long-term impact.

Monitoring and Evaluation will ensure regular assessment of program outcomes that can help identify challenges early and inform necessary adjustments.

Awareness Campaigns must be increased to bring about available programs that can boost participation among youth, especially in rural areas.

Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon can strengthen their agricultural sectors through active youth participation, ensuring food security and economic growth if they address the issues raised.

By Abu Issa Monnie

The author Broadcast Journalist, Communications specialist and CSR Practitioner

The post Comparative analysis of agricultural policies targeting youth in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon first appeared on 3News.

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