AGRA Tanzania, in collaboration with SAGCOT and other partners, hosted a two-day workshop in Mbeya on December 5 and 6 to officially kick off the implementation of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project. This transformative initiative, led by AGRA in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to empower youth in agribusiness and drive sustainable economic opportunities.
The event aimed to align activities among implementing partners and initiate the project’s implementation. YEFFA empowers youth by equipping them with skills and knowledge for engaging in commercial agribusiness investments.
In the project, SAGCOT Centre leads the maize and rice value chains intervention, focusing on involving youth, particularly young women, in sustainable farming (extension, GAP and soil health) and inclusive market, trade and finance. Other implementing partners include Nafaka Kilimo, ADP-Mbozi, Wezesha, NYDT, ACT, and Smart Foundation. Over three years, the maize and rice consortia aim to create approximately 180,000 job opportunities for “Youth in Dignified and Fulfilling Work,” characterized by reliable income and at least one additional marker such as reputable work, workplace respect, or a sense of purpose.
TAHA leads efforts in the horticultural subsector, targeting key value chains such as banana, avocado, onion, and tomato, to reach 332,166 farmers. Meanwhile, Rikolto is spearheading initiatives in the sunflower value chain in the Southern Highlands. Sunflower is critical as Tanzania faces a significant gap between sunflower oil demand (650,000 MT) and domestic production (290,000 MT), resulting in a 55% import reliance.
During the launch, the guest of honour, Mr Nasib Richard, Acting Assistant Director from the Prime Minister’s Office for Youth, Elders, and People with Disabilities, emphasized the critical importance of addressing youth unemployment in Tanzania. He praised the dedication of development actors like AGRA and its implementing partners to tackle this pressing issue. Mr. Richard affirmed the readiness of the Prime Minister’s Office to work collaboratively with the project team to achieve its objectives and create meaningful opportunities for young people across the country.
Mr Msambachi Abdallah of SAGCOT highlighted that SCL would utilize its established platforms to engage youth in the maize and rice value chains, emphasizing the importance of the multi-stakeholder collaboration at the heart of the YEFFA initiative.
Participants of the YEFFA Project Workshop held in Mbeya on December 5-6, 2023. The event brought together key stakeholders to align activities and initiate the implementation of the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project, which aims to empower youth in agribusiness.
