Agribusiness remains central to food security, job creation, and inclusive growth in many low-income countries.

It provides decent jobs and incomes for youth and women in agribusiness, which have an important spill-over effect on economic and social development outcomes.

With the right working conditions and remuneration, agricultural employment could help to create a platform from which more favourable outcomes for women and youth can be realised.

Youth and Women play a crucial role in the agribusiness sector across the globe.

Agriculture is the most important source of employment for women and the rising youth population in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Youth and women account for a significant proportion of the agribusiness workforce throughout different segments of the agricultural value chain, providing critical inputs and functions to business performance.

Ensuring equal access to employment opportunities in agribusiness and investing in decent jobs and working conditions for women and youth could lead to a strengthened workforce and a prosperous continent.

Despite efforts by national governments and the African Union to support and facilitate preferential entry and participation for youth and women in gainful and attractive agribusiness opportunities, and achieving the goal for agricultural development through initiatives.     

Youth and women are still under-represented in most downstream activities of the agribusiness value chain and, therefore, remain vulnerable.

The agribusiness sector is rapidly shifting considering changing demographics, climate change, and trade liberalisation.

There is a need for an evidence-based understanding of the increasingly complex dynamics of development and its effects on women and youth.

 It is against this backdrop that this research was undertaken to solicit the views and inputs of women and youth in agribusiness across the continent to inform policy recommendations to strengthen women’s opportunities in the agribusiness sector.

Meanwhile, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has identified youth as a critical theme across all of our work.

In the Medium-Term Plan 2022-25 and Rural Youth Action Plan (RYAP), the Organization acknowledges the importance of youth as managers of our agrifood systems.

Since 2011, FAO has implemented the Integrated Country Approach (ICA) to boost decent jobs for youth in agrifood systems.

The approach emphasizes strengthening the capacities of national institutions responsible for agriculture and labour to promote decent rural employment, including through private-public partnerships and multi-stakeholder mechanisms.

The African Youth Agripreneurs (AYA) platform is an initiative supported by FAO and the East African Farmer Federation (EAFF) that encourages experience-sharing, networking and mentorship among young African agripreneurs, as well as access to tools and training.

It contributes to the overall objective of supporting Africa’s youth to have meaningful and rewarding engagement in agrifood systems.

The platform has brought together and engages over 3,000 young people across Africa. 

FAO has developed the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) methodology which is an innovative approach that trains vulnerable rural youth in agricultural, business and life skills to earn a decent living. It allows them to be active and contributing members of their communities.

JFFLS has provided contextualized and practical support to over 25,000 young women and men in over 20 countries.