Young entrepreneurs count increment in sales courtesy of the Buy-From-Youth Campaign
Young entrepreneurs, especially those involved in agribusiness, have hailed the “Buy from Youth Campaign” as an approach that will bring them more buyers and increase their sales. Buy from Youth is an initiative started by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda Youth Agribusiness Federation (RYAF) in collaboration with FAO through the global initiative Integrated Country Approach (ICA) to Boost Decent Jobs for Youth in Agrifood Systems. The Buy from Youth Campaign aims to foster partnerships, reduce youth unemployment, and create sustainable job opportunities for youth involved in agrifood systems through capacity Building, market linkage, and advocacy.
The Buy from Youth Campaign Comparative Advantage
The success of the "Buy from Youth" approach relies on the collaboration of key institutions involved in agriculture modernization, capacity building, quality certification, formalization, commercialization, and advocacy. FAO facilitates the Buy From Youth Campaign to initiate partnerships between youth and key stakeholders for reduced youth unemployment through connecting youth agriprenuers with potential buyers and enhancing the creation of jobs for the former through different ways including the promotion of contract farming.
The Buy from Youth initiative was introduced in 2022 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum, with financial support from FAO and Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA). It is a transformative approach aimed at empowering youth in agrifood systems through fostering partnerships, creating job opportunities, and encouraging the use of modern technologies in agrifood systems. The campaign is instrumental in promoting youth participation in the agricultural sector. With the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders including the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the National Agriculture Export Development Board, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board, Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum, Private Sector Federation, this approach has the potential to revolutionize the landscape of agriculture in Rwanda, driving economic growth and social development.
Why youth as a target group?
Targeting youth in agri-food systems is essential to ensure the sustainability and vitality of the sector. The youth represent the future workforce, innovators, and leaders who will shape the agri-food industry's trajectory. By engaging and empowering young individuals, we tap into their energy, creativity, and adaptability, fostering a culture of innovation and modernization that is crucial for addressing the challenges of food security, changing consumer preferences, and environmental sustainability. Involving youth in agri-food systems not only provides them with viable livelihood opportunities but also contributes to local economic development and the overall resilience of communities, thereby paving the way for a more prosperous and inclusive agricultural landscape.
Some young gripreneurs youth who participated in the Buy from the Youth campaign activities shared experiences on how the campaign has already positively impacted their business in a very short period .
Niyodushima Dieudonne from Exodus LTD, who is involved in farming French beans in Bugesera District, said that the Buy from Youth campaign was a significant opportunity to showcase his products, noting that the initiative brought him new clients and expanded his network.
“Through the buy from the youth campaign, I got a new client to whom I supply at least one ton of French beans every week, which has increased my weekly sales by fifty percent. Through this campaign, I also got to connect with fellow farmers. This connection benefits me because even when I have a shortage of produce, I can still mobilize more quantities from fellow young farmers,” Niyodushima said.
Niyodushima is not the only young agripreneur to benefit from this campaign facilitated by FAO.
Uwamahoro Perva, a passion fruit farmer from Kirehe District, said that she learned about the Buy from Youth Campaign through RYAF, which has since changed her farming business.
“Before I participated in the Buy from the Youth Campaign activities, I used to sell only 200 kilograms of passion fruits per week. Through this campaign, I was able to connect with one buyer from Kabuga, who takes all my produce every week; this made me double my weekly produce to be able to continue supplying my initial buyers. It is also through this campaign that I got to connect with a representative of Inyange Industries. They asked me to supply them with at least 800 kilograms per week.”
During the Buy from Youth Business meeting which took place this year in June, Ildephonse Musafiri, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources saluted the achievements and innovation of youth in agrifood systems and pledged to spare no effort in supporting them.
Dr. Abdalah Utumatwishima, the Minister of Youth also reassured his commitment to support the youth agripreneurs through the Buy from Youth Campaign and introduced an idea of reinforcing the campaign through free-trade youth fairs that should be consistently organized in Kigali city and in different parts of the country, to connect youth to new market opportunities and let Rwandans explore the innovation of young agripreneurs.
FAO Country Representative Coumba Sow underscored that FAO Rwanda has been supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and RYAF since the design of the approach. The campaign was supported to enhance youth participation in agrifood systems and create more decent jobs for youth in agrifood systems. Given testimonies from Perva and Dieudonne, among others, this campaign continues to impact the lives of youth and is expected to have a bigger impact soon. I am happy that the campaign was successful” Coumba noted.
For more information, contact:
Marie Claire Muneza
Communications Specialist
FAO Rwanda
Twitter: @FAORwanda