Ouagadougou: A new initiative named the YEFFA program is set to boost employment in Burkina Faso's agro-industry sector by creating 142,000 jobs for young people and women, with a focus on achieving food self-sufficiency. This effort is spearheaded by AGRA in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and the government. Jules Som©, AGRA Burkina Country Director, announced the program during a symposium in Ouagadougou, emphasizing its commitment to supporting young individuals in the agribusiness sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the YEFFA program, which stands for Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture, aims to empower the youth by building their confidence and training them in agricultural entrepreneurship. The program seeks to provide necessary tools and skills to 500,000 young people across Burkina Faso, extending over a period of five years and targeting regions including the Center-West, the South-West, the Hauts-Bassins, the Cascades, and the Boucle du Mouhoun.
Jules Som© highlighted the program's commitment to inclusive participation, ensuring that young women, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons have access to opportunities. He encouraged the youth to focus on innovation and smart agriculture to tackle climate challenges, asserting that new technologies and good agricultural practices could lead to food sovereignty in Burkina Faso.
The symposium, which gathered young entrepreneurs, policymakers, and partners, aimed to address the challenges faced by young people in agriculture, particularly rural women. It also highlighted existing initiatives by the government and partners, discussing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth and reinforcing support for vulnerable rural communities.
AGRA, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming African agriculture from subsistence farming to sustainable businesses, ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of farming households across the continent.