A Call that Matters: Rwandan youth urged to invest in smart agriculture
By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU
Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Culture, other officials from various ministries have urged young people to invest in agriculture and animal husbandry in order to develop and modernize the sector.
The message was delivered during the celebration of International Youth Day 2021.
The Minister of Youth and Culture, Mbabazi Rosemary, called on the youth to have a vision and goal of what they want to achieve.
“We are very happy that the perceptions of the youth are changing and leading to food security, because the first security is having food,” she said.
The International Youth Day was celebrated under the theme: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.
“We can show you the opportunity and accompany you but we also want you to take the lead and put into action available opportunities.” Minister Mbabazi adds
“We urge you to have a vision and a solid plan. To achieve the best is to plan and to anticipate is to give them enough time. So we want to have young people who have a solid plan and know about how they will get there; and it all starts with the mind that prepares the jouney.” She explains.
Young people have been asked to break the same rope and join forces to achieve sustainable development and not be discouraged in everything they do.
The Director General of the Imbuto Foundation, Umutoni Sandrine, said the COVID-19 epidemic has shown that agriculture and animal husbandry are the key to achieving sustainable development.
She called on the youth to strive to use their time wisely and find opportunities for development.
“One of the secrets of making the best use of your young age is to find clear opportunities for development. In agriculture, animal husbandry and environmental protection, it is one of the places where there are still job opportunities and innovation. Knowing there is a chance and it requires a person to be strong and confident.” Umutoni says.
The young people who attended the forum also testified that they had the courage to participate in investment activities such as agriculture and animal husbandry as well as the environment.
Mukagahima Marie Ange said that after attending the training she was given as a student she changed her mind about moving to agriculture.
“It made me think about agriculture. Even if Rwandans are farmers, in most cases in the past, one would be ashamed to say that he/she is a child of a farmer. But today, things are changing. For instance I was inspired by the stories from other places about how their farmers turned rich and prosperous,” Mukagahima said.
Young people also emphasised that pursuing agriculture and animal husbandry studies will help the country to solve challenges farmers face, largely based on their limited knowledge.
They expressed his readiness to address the challenges facing agriculture through the knowledge they acquire from the school.
Dr Semwaga Octave, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, said the reason why young people were not so involved in agriculture and animal husbandry was due to a misunderstanding of what crops could produce.
He said there is a plan to put more effort into giving them knowledge on things that can make young people feel that going to agriculture is to embrace the richness.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Karera Patrick, called on the youth to abide by the country’s laws and regulations to protect the environment and international agreements on environmental impacts that may result from their planning activities and thus help them avoid penalties and costs of destruction.
The Fifth Household Survey of Rwanda (EICV5) found that more than 62.2% of the youth are engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry.
