Rural Africa to benefit from 4-H, DuPont partnership

The national council of youth development organisation 4-H and American chemicals giant DuPont announced a partnership aimed to strengthen youth development in rural African communities. The US$2 million initiative will be used over the next two years by the global 4-H network to assist in developing sustainable livelihoods and improving household food security.

A pilot program earlier this year in northern Tanzania was the model for the new initiative in Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Ghana, where a Leadership Institute for 4-H leaders and volunteers will be launched in January 2012. Participants will be trained in agricultural innovation and farm methods, and learn about research-based tools and resources available at the local level.

Speaking at the recent World Food Prize Symposium, Donald Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council, said that youth development is the world's best long-term solution to ensure food security and global economic stability. "4-H's 100-year history in agricultural innovation and youth skill-building in more than 70 nations, uniquely positions it to equip millions of young people in developing nations with the skills needed to build a sustainable future," Floyd said.

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