#Editorial

Youth participation in agric development is key!

Oct 28, 2022, 9:32 AM | Article By: EDITORIAL

The Gambia's population now stands at little over 2 million people out of which youth make up 68%of the population. Therefore, going by these figures they constitute a significant chunk of the population.

There is a need for Gambian youth to gear up and engage more in the agric sector in response to increasing existing opportunities in a drive to boost the country's economic outlook.

 Analysts have it that sustainable economic transformation cannot be accomplished in the absence of youth active engagement and empowerment initiatives.

 The country's youth population is fast growing, yet many of these youths are not employed. This has even forced many youngsters to embark on the perilous sea journey through the hot desert and then across the high Mediterranean Sea.

 Investing more in the sector would help unlock and widen the sector opportunities. This would even help make the sector more attractive to young farmers,

thus creating decent employment opportunities in rural areas.

 As reported in our Thursday's edition, Demba Sabally, the minister of Agriculture has called on the country's youth to make best use of the existing opportunities and the arable land to contribute to the country’s food security needs.

 It is widely believed that the easiest and surest ways to attain food security in the country is by engaging and involving more youth to till the land. However, much emphasis should be placed on agric value chain more to attract youth and curtail ‘distress migration’.

 There are great opportunities in agriculture especially in job creation. 

 Young people should also understand that it is through dedication and determination that their participation could make any meaningful impact.

 They should realise that unlocking their potentials would significantly improve livelihood and addressing Sustainable Development Goal 8.

 Also, agricultural technologies should be tailored to optimize opportunities for young people — particularly rural young people so as to maximize their on-farm activities and facilitate their entry into off-farm activities.

 It is a fact that the majority of youth do not want to work in the agric sector in view of the unattractive nature.

 This is the reason why agricultural technologies should be tailored to optimize opportunities for young people — particularly rural young people — to maximize their on-farm activities and facilitate their entry into off-farm activities.

To date, young people need a resourced space where they can share ideas and access mentorship.