25-28^th NOVEMBER 2012

DAKAR, SENEGAL

We, Youth representatives, farmers, Private sector actors, Civil Society Leaders and Young entrepreneurs from across Africa participating in the Agri Business Forum 2012, held between 25-28^th November 2012, hosted by the Government of Senegal and organized by EMRC, UNDP and Pan ACC in collaboration with F.A.O, Rabo Bank Foundation, FARA, Uni BRAIN, KWARA state government, Africare, PNSA, Amiran Kenya Ltd, Syngenta Foundation and USAID;

Gathered together to deliberate, under the theme, on means to Boost African Agriculture Partnership, Investment and Technology with particular concern on narrowing the investment and acess to technology gaps that present limitations for young people across the African Continent

Applaud already existing country and regional level initiatives that are being coordinated across the continent through Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)’s Investment Plans with the aim of combating food insecurity, tackling malnutrition and hunger in the spirit achieving the Millenium development goals

Recognizing that Africa currently boasts of the world’s Youngest population,which,if well skilled and educated can provide an inexhaustible, efficient, innovative and productive labour force for Agriculture which will guarantee economic growth, development and sustained global competitiveness

Mindful of the technical, financial and policy environment challenges that hinder young people from becoming key actors in exploiting the limitless opportunities across the Value chain through different private sector and civil society platforms

Cognizant of the fact that an enabling environment in which timely, relevant and easily accessible information on Agri business can make a huge difference for millions of Young Agripreneurs on this gifted continent in as far as creating wealth, creating employment and boosting productivity to counter Food security,

DO HEREBY:

Urge the Governments represented here, Development agencies, Civil Society , Private Sector and all else who work tirelessly to improve the Economic, Social and political conditions of Young people on the African continent;

To prioritize the following:

The need to reverse the trend in which Young people have a negative attitude towards Agriculture by enhancing existing frameworks that are used to share success stories and opportunities along the value chain for Young Agripreneurs and other young professionals who can make an invaluable contribution y giving of their skills in different value chain sectors;

The Importance of providing timely, responsive and accessible information to Agri preneurs as a means of exposing limitless opportunities, alternatives for financing, and market trends all of which forster increased production and as such boosts incomes of young Agripreneurs

The urgency to expand synergies with in existing programmes such as CAADP through integral systems to ensure more meaningful interaction and tangible outcomes between stakeholders in Government, Civil society, Private sector and Development agencies, all of who work to improve the lives of Young Africans through policy development, advocacy, lobbying and providing goods and services .

As Youth leaders from different spheres, we also commit to making our contribution to supporting ongoing processes that the partners are undertaking on the continent that speak to our aspirations as highlighted in the preamble and points of consideration above.

……………………………………END OF COMMUNIQUE…………………………………………

SIGNED:

Name: Obert Mathivha

Organization: CAYC

Country: South Africa

Name: Helenah Okiring

Organization: Uganda Youth Network

Country: Uganda

Name: Solomon Elorm Allavi

Organization: Syecomp Business Services

Country: Ghana

Name: Christopher Wambugu

Organization: Nyamua Farm

Country: Kenya

Name: Fred O. Oduke

Organization: Sorghum Value Chain Dev Consortium

Country: Kenya

Name: Patrick Mpedzisi

Country: Zimbabwe

Name: Eddie Nyoni

Organization: SAYM

Country: South Africa

Name: Paidamoyo Mupezeni

Country: Zimbabwe

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