Africa's Young Farmers Seeding the Future

NIGERIA: Not Everyone Pleased with New Vitamin A-Fortified Cassava

Using hybridisation and selective breeding, researchers in Nigeria have developed three new yellow varieties of cassava, a staple crop in much of Africa, which they say will help fight malnutrition caused by vitamin A deficiency in the region.

Moving Towards a Food-Secure Ghana

By Isaiah Esipisu

In Dundo village in Nyankpala district, Northern Ghana, 10 women are busy weeding a rice field on a piece of land donated to them by the village chief.

Young Entrepreneurs Gather in Benin

By Siphosethu Stuurman

Young people from across the globe gathered in Benin’s economic capital city of Cotonou to share their success and experiences in the agricultural sector with each other.

Rabbit Farmer Inspires Youth

By Siphosethu Stuurman

Young Beninese rabbit breeder, Samuel Agossou, inspired youth from across the globe when he shared his success story during the Global Youth Innovation Workshop held in Benin late last year.

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Kanayo F. Nwanze said agriculture cannot be ignored when it comes to climate change. Credit: Busani Bafana/IPS

Q&A: Time for a New Agricultural Revolution

By Busani Bafana

Negotiators at the 17th Conference of Parties owe it to the world's more than seven billion people to deliver a deal with a work plan for agriculture, a sector that is expected to be the worst affected by climate change.

Oil discoveries hold back agriculture

By Zukiswa Zimela

Zuki Zimela reports from Libreville, Gabon: Farmers organisation say oil discoveries in Africa are holding back agricultural development.

Sao Tomé project shows great promise

By IPS Correspondents

Farming cocoa, coffee and pepper in Sao Tomé show promise, with interest from Europe lifting farmers’ profits. Ulrich Vital AHOTONDJI interviews Andrea Serpagli, the coordinator of the FIDA project. [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/ipsaudio/20111116_papafpa_vital.mp3[/podcast]

Le Gabon Renforce SA politique Agricole pour une Meilleure Autonomie

By IPS Correspondents

Le ministre Gabonais de l’Agriculture, Raymond Ndong Sima, nous donne un aperçu des réformes en matière de politique agricole au Gabon. [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/ipsaudio/20111115_minsterqa_tola2.mp3[/podcast]

Africa’s farmers still face serious challenges

By Zukiswa Zimela

Stakeholders in agriculture from Western and Central Africa are meeting in Gabon for the 6th International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) regional forum. As Zukiswa Zimela reports, they are talking about the challenges facing smallholder farmers.

Youth fair helps entrepreneurs to network

By IPS Correspondents

The Global Youth Innovation Network, GYIN, recently brought 60 entrepreneurs to Benin to find ways to combat poverty. Sponsors of the event and the participants say the four-day helped the youth to build networks that will help them get closer to reaching this goal. Sam Olukoya reports from Cotonou. [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/ipsaudio/20111024_samagric_olukoya.mp3[/podcast]

Entrepreneurs Could Develop Africa and the World

By Charles Mushizi

He started with four rabbits and a will to succeed. Seven years later, Samuel Agossou has built a home for his family and employs a dozen other young people in his business.

Realise your dreams says youth leader

By IPS Correspondents

Tinus de Jager speaks to the head of the NGO CINC, Barbara Macon, about her success in bringing together innovators from western Africa and finding money to develop products. Macon says the key is to keep pushing to reach your goals. [podcast]http://africa.ipsterraviva.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20111013_cincbarbara_dejager.mp3[/podcast]

Benin Youth Fair

By IPS Correspondents

Young people from around the world are meeting in Benin to share ideas on getting the youth to stay in rural farming areas. Zukiswa Zimela compiled this report before the opening of the workshop. [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/ipsaudio/20111009_ifadOPENINIG_Zimela.mp3_Oggetto_audio_mpeg.mp3[/podcast]

« Previous Page

*#*

While agriculture and smallholder farmers in many African countries form the bedrock of the economy, the youth hold the keys to the continent's future. And throughout the region, particularly in Central and Western Africa, we find young farmers playing a crucial role in the continent's economic growth. In our coverage, IPS raises the voices of these young farmers and showcases their innovative solutions to increasing agricultural productivity in Africa, taking into account factors like climate change, agricultural investment, access to credit, trade and market niches.