Dear all,
Greetings and kudos to the facilitators and all contributors.
1. Experience as a Youth in the Agriculture Sector:
I have been engaged in maize and rice cultivation and in extending good agricultural practices in farm school sessions for farmer associations in North West (Ndop plain), West (Foumbot area), and Center (Tonga and Nanga Eboko) regions of the Republic of Cameroon. I have from 2013 been engaged in agribusiness for these two crops and market gardening (tomato cultivation). With the IRAD team, we carried out a series of nutrient ommision trials and the introduction of mechanical weeders in rice fields. These activities were coordinated by Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, Cote D'Ivoire) and were simultaneously carried out in her member state countries among which Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire etc. I studied rice processing (upgrading domestic rice quality) in college and is involved in the training of farmers on the conversion of rice residues to valuable products like briquettes through densification of husks, biscuits production using broken grains, and to mushroom production through sterilization and fermentation of appropriated proportions of husk and bran. My interest in Agriculture stems from childhood, where as a kid I followed the family to our maize, beans, potato and plantain farms which were grown for subsistence. With the objective of helping the family after graduating from college, I had agriculture as the first option. I am filled with passion to get enriched and enrich others with the potential of agriculture to transform lives in rural communities.
2. Major Achievements and Success Stories:
I defended my M.Sc. thesis in 2013 on used of optimum parboiling conditions to produce quality milled rice and have contributed to the training of over 2000 women and youths on agricultural techniques in the North West, West, and Center regions of Cameroon. Rice and maize yields in farmer fields have increased since the introduction of GAP. Currently partnering with youths in tomato cultivation, where the turn over is really high and fast and the youths though not educated are satisfied.
3. What the Rwanda Youth Conference Should Address:
From my experience and contact with youths interested in agriculture, the Rwanda Youth Conference should consider:
i. Educating youths in rural areas on applied agricultural techniques specific to their region. Most youths (the workforce) in rural areas have not been to school and have agriculture as the major source of livelihood. They have little income (or none) to venture in agriculture. So for those who try and fail, they are discouraged. Educating them about innovative techniques through practice will contribute to the success and draw more youths.
ii. Policy : There is a need to protect youths in agriculture at all levels in the supply chain. Imported products in our domestic markets (the case of rice and wheat products) are dominating local products enormously. The conference committed should table proposals in this regards to policymakers in Africa (AU and other institutions).
iii. Loans and follow-up: Drawing banks and financial institutions closer to youths and vice versa.
Mr. Tang Erasmus Nchuaji