Food Production: Minister Kyari calls for investment in youths

Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the critical need for African nations to invest in their youth to invigorate food systems. Speaking at the launch of the Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI) in Abuja, Kyari highlighted this initiative as a testament to Africa's commitment to youth empowerment in agrifood sectors, food security, and sustainable development.

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Today is not really about much other than a tour of the framework.It is about measuring what we have promised, capturing what we have delivered, and ensuring that the voices of the people are young people, and none of them will be fooled by the data as chips.

Kyari described YAPI as a framework designed to measure promises made and delivered, ensuring that young people's voices are central. The African Union's tool offers a comprehensive view of youth employment opportunities within the agricultural system, aiming to create a robust monitoring and reporting system for economic advancement. "With the African Union, we turn evidence into action, conforming to the right gap in opportunities that build stronger systems, foster new prosperities, initiate and craft new policies, and support new programs to sustain and grow our youth," he stated.

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With the African Union, we turn evidence into action, conforming to the right gap in opportunities that build stronger systems, foster new prosperities, initiate and craft new policies, and support new programs to sustain and grow our youth.

The initiative, developed through rigorous continental, regional, and national consultations, involved pilot countries like Nigeria and Kenya. Member states are urged to adopt and integrate the YAPI document into their national strategies, strengthening implementation to guide policies and programs for lasting impact on young people. Juliette Lampoh from AGRA Nigeria assured youth of support through access to finance, while Dr. Janet Edeme of the African Union Commission stressed that youth, comprising 70 percent of Africa's population, are fundamental to the continent's food systems. AU and partners will work to implement the report to accelerate expected investments in the sector.

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As member states, we commit to owning and specializing the document as a new focus of sustainable development in Africa, integrating it into our national land use strategies, strengthening the implementation system, and using the document to guide policy and programmes that will leave a long-lasting impact for our young people.