A MODEL FOR PROMOTING YOUTH AGRIPRENEURSHIP IN WEST & CENTRAL AFRICA Engagement of Youth Entrepreneuship for Agricultural transformation in Aftica Workshop 28-30 May 2014     CORAF/WECARD

Presentation Outline 1. The profile of CORAF/WECARD 2. The CORAF/WECARD’s Agribusiness Model 3. CORAF/WECARD as a Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center 4. Conclusion

The Profile of CORAF/WECARD Sustainable reduction in poverty and food insecurity in WCA through an increase in agriculture-led economic growth and sustainable improvement of key aspects of the agricultural research system VISION Created in 1987 NARS of 23 countries 12 M km2 Surface area Growth rate 5 to 7% 433 M inhabitants Sustainable improvements to the productivity, competitiveness and markets of the agricultural systems in WCA by meeting the key demands of the sub regional research system as expressed by target groups MISSION Average yield Gap: 75% 74% engaged in agriculture 1.25 US$ a day < 48.5% Food demand > 60 – 80%

Key functions of CORAF/WECARD Coordinate NARS Encourage common planning, fin. & admin. systems Pool resources Support FAAP compliant programmes Strengthen NARS capacity Create & maintain expertise Foster institutional strengthening Develop competence in implementing IAR4D Knowledge Management Convert information to knowledge & disseminate Establish innovation platforms & support experiential learning Advocacy Provide information on strategic options Influence policies Mobilise financial resources End users/producers

The CORAF/WECARD’s Agribusiness Model Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center Increased use of Research results & Innovation Increased public-private partnership Creating enabling conditions Communication

Pillar 1: Increased use of research results and innovations Technologies developed through 212 IPs along commodity value chains ranging from crops, livestock, fisheries, and Natural Resources Management. Publications leaflets to facilitate the promotion of use of technologies Virtual Market on technologies developed through MITA (Marché des Innovations et des Technologies Améliorées) Database on seeds and seed suppliers available

Pillar 2: Increased Public-Private Partnership The Network of Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services (RESCAR-AOC) established Private sector organization facilitated National Seed Trade Associations (NSTA) with AFSTA organized and functional Business Plans developed for the SMEs PPP established between NARIs and private sector

Pillar 3: Creating Enabling Conditions Appropriate trainings provided to Youths Modules developed for Capacity Strengthening in seed value chain Support to Youths in developing business plan A special program to promote Gender in Agricultural Research for Development Getting youths taking advantage of UNIBRAIN programme Link youths with mentors

Communication as the foundation 30 films produced (English and French) on technologies using Youtube and other social networks format for the Youth https://www.youtube.com/user/CORAF WECARD/videos Facebook page developed to present CORAF/WECARD results The number of visitors of CORAF Website has increased since the use of social media from 12 000 in Oct 2014 to 20 000 in March 2015, and most of these are Youths

CORAF/WECARD: a Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center Media is one of the key players in the process of catalyzing the development of any community, mostly Youths. Television is a major electronic media for information dissemination, education, economic development, entertainment and empowerment in the knowledge society Television is fast growing and its reach is gradually increasing, mostly with Youth in the rural Africa.

CORAF/WECARD: a Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center Many channels operating for Mass Communication and entertainment in Africa, but none is on Agriculture. Advantage with the visual medium is that a farmer can see whenever a scientist exhibits a diseased plant, notice unequal growth of a particular crop, and so on. In fact, ‘seeing is believing’.

Implementing the Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center To convey information to a large youth audience, with technological quality and credibility from the field of agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, forestry, environment, food, health and nutrition To link Youth viewers to opportunities and trainings in agriculture: land and water resources, tools, technologies, markets, commodity prices, trade fairs, funding, jobs etc. To be a communication medium towards Youths for Development agencies, Research organizations, NGO, Advisory & Extension Services and Universities on sharing best practices, experiences, lessons learnt and success stories.

Implementing the Regional Agricultural Knowledge Management Center To provide educational program on weather, climate change and mitigation measures, climate smart agriculture, sustainable use of natural resources To establish and support a Call Center that will provide specific and detailed answers to viewers

Conclusion Innovative approaches and tools have been developed by CORAF recently to boost technology adoption and facilitate Agripreneurship by Youth CORAF has facilitated the enabling environment to develop PPP and Agripreneurship by Youth For CORAF/WECARD to continue to ensure leadership in improving agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption in WCA, it should develop a Regional Knowledge Management Center connected to a Call Center This will provide more opportunities to Youth for effective Agripreneurship skills enhancement. This initiative is under development and the outcome will be shared with partners.

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