Southern Africa Agribusiness for Youth Employment

Invitation to Join the Southern Africa Agribusiness for Youth Employment Webinar Series

Date: 10 October 2024
Time: 15h00 – 16h30
Click to RSVP: https://bit.ly/47H3Nde

Synopsis
Two major interlinked challenges currently face the Southern African region: food insecurity and youth unemployment. In 2024, Southern Africa experienced its most severe drought in over 100 years, affecting millions and causing widespread food shortages. A recent report projects that nearly half of South Africa’s population could be food insecure by 2025.

Weak extension services, with high farmer-to-agent ratios, exacerbate the problem, leaving many small-holder farmers needing access to critical knowledge and resources. However, digital technologies, including Precision Agriculture (PA) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), enhanced by artificial intelligence, present promising solutions. These technologies help farmers optimise resources, increase crop yields, reduce environmental impacts, and boost productivity, driving sustainable agricultural practices.

At the same time, youth unemployment in Southern Africa is alarmingly high. In South Africa, the unemployment rate for youth reached 45.5% in early 2024, highlighting the urgent need for economic opportunities. Agriculture, with its vast value chain, offers potential for job creation, but youth engagement remains low. Agriculture must be seen as a viable and profitable career path to attract more young people.

To address these challenges, the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (UJ Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment) and partners are hosting a series of webinars. These webinars will discuss practical agribusiness solutions to enhance food and nutrition security, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. The series aims to engage UJ staff, students, and strategic stakeholders in the Southern African region.

All UJ staff and students to are invited to participate in this critical conversation and explore the potential of agribusiness in addressing food insecurity and youth unemployment.​