Annex 2 
Summary of the First National Workshop on Rural Youth and Young Farmers in Sierra Leone

A.    The Objectives of the Workshop were:

1. To identify and discuss the problems and needs of rural young men and women.
2. To identify activities and projects in which rural youth and young farmers are currently participating.
3. To identify and discuss problem areas related to current rural youth and young farmer activities.
4. To identify future activities and project ideas which can strengthen and support work with young men and women in the rural areas.
5. To formulate action oriented recommendations for the overall strengthening and support of programmes for rural youth in Sierra Leone.

B.    Problems Facing Rural Youth

In identifying the main problems facing rural youth in Sierra Leone, participants and discussion leaders drew upon the survey report presented by Dr. T.O. Kargbo and their own experience as youth leaders representing a cross section of the country.

1.    Educational and Training Opportunities: lssues related to appropriate education, vocational training and employment were so closely linked in the discussion that it was difficult to clearly separate the two.

Participants were unanimous in their assertions that educational and training opportunities were inadequate in the rural areas. These feelings were strongly supported in Dr. Kargbo's study in which it was reported that of the young people surveyed in Koinadugu and Kailahun Districts, 60 percent had never been to school and 90 percent had received no vocational or occupational training. In today's society, with keen; competition for available employment opportunities, rural youth are clearly at a disadvantage when compared to their urban counterparts. Participants stressed the importance of expanding educational facilities and the need for education geared toward selfreliance.

The lack of educational opportunities along with a shortage of adequate health facilities and limited employment opportunities were cited as major factors in the rural-to-urban -migration of young rural parents. Participants concluded that, in the rural areas, the lack of industrial growth severely limited off-farm employment possibilities for youth who did not have access to land or other rural non-farm job opportunities. Government incentives to encourage industrial development outside the Freetown area were discussed along with need for an adequate transportation network to support farm and rural non-farm businesses and industry.

In group discussions, participants examined both farm and-rural non-farm employment opportunities. It was clear that not all rural inhabitants could be engaged in production agriculture and that there was a need for expanded agriculturally related support services. The issue of post-harvest losses resulting from inadequate marketing opportunities was discussed along with the need to establish small food processing operations that could preserve agricultural products in the form of jams, tomato products, and other items. The development of decentralized cottage industries which could be established through cooperatives or village groups was discussed and the need for advice, management support and credit was also reiterated.

Food Production

There was considerable concern over the need for increased food production and the ways in which rural youth could be encouraged to participate in increasing the food supply, especially rice, in the rural areas. It was pointed out that land use was not the most serious problem. In most areas, access to land was simply a problem of discussing the isses before gaining consent from the local authorities. The need for good communication was stressed.

The real limiting factor appeared to be closely related to the lack of basic tools and equipment necessary to clear the swamps and other areas and the inputs necessary for crop production. Participants stated that village .groups could be formed without much real difficulty, but after group formation no support could be provided so that work could begin. The Government was called upon to recognize this need and to place a priority upon providing support to village level groups who were organized and trying to help themselves.

There were repeated calls for the establishment of local area councils where activities could be coordinated and supported through joint efforts from several ministries at the local level.

Communication and Transportation

Problems related to the lack of well developed channels of communication and adequate roads, transport vehicles and fuel^: supplies were referred to as chronic areas of dissatisfaction.Youth workers with inadequate means to reach their clientele were rendered ineffective and the frustrations related to fuel shortages were very much in evidence.

Summary

In summary, enthusiasm among the participants was strong, but tempered with the realities of life in the rural areas where a general lack of amenities and shortages of critical supplies make progress difficult. Organizing groups of rural youth for productive purposes appear to be much less of a problem than providing support for the groups in terms of agricultural inputs, tools, equipment and credit.

The following eleven recommendations- were unanimously approved for inclusion in a final report.

Recommendations

Recognizing that the^- rural youth and young farmers of Sierra Leone are educationally and economically at a disadvantage when compared to their urban counterparts and considering the fact that there is a newly established Ministry of Health, Social Services and Youth, the participants of the National Seminar respectfully offer the. following recommendations for consideration:

It is recommended:

1. That a rural youth policy be formulated within the framework of the National Development Plan.
2. That the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Youth plays a coordinating role in Government efforts to better serve rural young men and women through improved education and training and increased employment opportunities.
3. That a National Association of Rural Youth and Young Farmers be established to serve as a channel of communication between Government and Non-Governmental Organizations for rural young men and women and that local area councils be established to promote and support rural development.
4. That increased emphasis be placed on the strengthening of rural educational and agricultural training institutions and that incentives be provided for teachers who work under difficult conditions. 
5. That credit, in terms of tools, equipment and working capital be made available to registered groups of rural youth and young farmers and that tax exemptions be provided as an incentive for increased agricultural production and income. 
6. That tax exemptions and other incentives be established to promote agriculturally related industrial growth and development in the rural areas. That this emphasis on decentralization of industrial growth be an integral part of the national development plan for integrated rural development.
7. That agricultural training in schools for the disabled be strengthened through up-graded instructional and apprentice programmes.
8. That consideration be given to the establishment of village poly-technical schools, including agriculture, for the purpose of extending vocational training to the rural areas.
9. That population education be included in all aspects of education for rural young people.
10. That consideration be given to programmes designed to reduce post-harvest loss due to inadequate transport and market facilities, improper handling, and a lack of processing facilities.
11. That increased emphasis be placed upon nutrition education as a regular part of the services rendered to rural youth.