Food security in spotlight at AgriYouth Indaba

Young people who have made it in the agriculture sector will also share their success stories during the Indaba. Various workshops will be held on innovative farming, and visits to various farming projects in the city will be conducted.

"As we celebrate youth month, it is very important that we take into consideration youth's role in agriculture and in ensuring food security. The future is the hands of the youth and participating in the agricultural sector will assist youth to ensure a food secure future," says Simo Vilakazi, AgriYouth Indaba spokesperson.

Employment option

"Agriculture is often dismissed as an economic and employment option for young people and many people in South Africa claim that youth simply are not interested in agriculture. With youth unemployment steadily on the rise, creating a conducive environment for young people to venture into agriculture as one of the possible ways to overcome youth unemployment is critical," says Vilakazi.

"The increasing urban population places great attention on the need to ensure food security. In taking a long-term view to alleviating poverty and ensuring food security, the involvement of youth in the efforts of curbing poverty is critical and this is what makes this Indaba not only relevant but also important," he concludes.

AgriYouth has partnered with ONE Africa and the partnership will see a session which will take social media to new heights through a discussion on Twitter across the continent at the same time. Utilising a communication platform that the youth is familiar with is a way of ensuring that agriculture is made relevant to young people.