Peter Mwaura MutuaYoung Professionals’ Platform for Agricultural

Research for Development (YPARD)

The role of young Researchers in setting the ARD

research agenda

Young Professionals’ Platform for Agricultural Research for Development

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyPlant Research International

OUTLINE

• Introduction• Policies in Agriculture and Agricultural research• Pertinent questions in ARD • Why YPARD? • Young professionals’ value added and

disadvantages• YPARD as a link • YPARD achievements so far • Suggestion for course of action• Some examples

INTRODUCTION• Global population numbers are on track to reach 7 billion in 2011

• Virtually all of the growth is in developing countries

• And the growth of the world’s youth population (ages 15 to 24) is shifting into the poorest of those countries

• In developing countries 75% of poor live in rural areas

• Agriculture thus vital for poverty reduction and food security

• But interest among young people in agriculture seems to decrease

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2009/2009wpds.aspx

INTRODUCTION

Source: United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects, The 2008 Revision.

World Population (in Billions): 1950-2050

World Population Growth Is Almost Entirely Concentrated in the World's Poorer Countries

Source: Carl Haub and Mary Mederios Kent, 2009 World Population Data Sheet.

Population Ages 15-24 by World Region: 1950 and 2050

1950 2050

The World’s Youth Population Will Become More Concentrated in Africa and Asia

Who shapes agricultural decisions• Governments underscore the importance of

agriculture

• In policy debates shaping the future of agriculture and agricultural research for Development rarely involve the youth

• The voice of the youth has to be heard…..

Pertinent questions – where is the youth?• Do the youth understand the political economy and policy

processes surrounding agriculture in specific regional/country settings

• Do they have the capacity to critically assess how food and agriculture is understood in policy circles

• Do they know the extent to which bureaucratic, political, budgetary and other processes either support or constrain investment in the agricultural sector?

If yes …………

• What is the understanding and the perception and potential and roles of youth in the future of ARD?.

• How is the demographic change affecting the availability of farmers in the future?

• How can agriculture be made more attractive as a livelihood option for future farmers in Africa?

It will be business as usual and…… the Young professionals will be

missing in strategic policy debates

If the questions find no answers ?

NOVEMBER 8TH 2006, NEW DELHI, INDIA

Value added ofYoung Professionals

Open and

frank

At ease with change

Enthusiastic

More computer

literate

Fresh perspectives

Able to build partnershipsFast learners

of new

technologies

Adaptable

More aware of new tools

Transfer ICT

skills

Disadvantages ofYoung

Professionals

Lack

experience

Lack conflict resolving

skills

Short-term contracts

Lack negotiating

skills

Little access to meetings

Not taken seriously

Limited time for supervision

Lack access to

decision-making

levels

YPARD AS A LINK?YPARD Vision

• Sustainably improved livelihoods, worldwide, through dynamic agricultural research for development (ARD)

Mission

• To serve as a global platform through which young professionals can express their ideas and realize their full potential towards a dynamic agricultural research for development.

YPARD OBJECTIVES1. Facilitate exchange of information and knowledge among young professionals across disciplines, professions, age and regions

2. Broaden opportunities for YPs to contribute to strategic ARD policy debates

3. To promote agriculture among young people

4. Facilitate access to resources and capacity building opportunities

Concrete achievements of YPARD so far……

• 1581 members, 117 countries as of 10.02.09

• Functional Website

• Regional and local representatives worldwide

• Youth organizations related to ARD – Mapping (Publication – March 2009)

• YPARD newsletter – 4 times/year – November 2008, February 2009

• TERRA VIVA – YPARD funding newsletter for young professionals in ARD – 6 times/year

• Knowledge, Education and Learning meeting (Maputo, Dec. 2009) – YPARD supported by GFAR was one of the lead organizer together with GFAR, ICT-KM, COL.

• East Africa – Young Farmers Strengthening Project (YOFA)

• South Asia – Leveraging the Potential of Young Professionals for Agriculture Research for Development in India

• Latin America and Caribbean – Assessing the role of Young People in ARD in Latin America and Caribbean

• Grant writing workshop –how to write successful research and grant proposals

Concrete achievements of YPARD so far……

Participation in ARD Meetings

FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

• Electronic discussion fora (ongoing)

• Linking young professionals through regional fora – GFAR, APAARI, FARA, FORAGRO, AARINENA) – EC – FSTP (Concept note submitted after discussion) – (December 2008)

• Youth and United Nationas Global Alliance (FAO, UNFCCC forum for youth) – publication on youth quick guide to climate change (August 2009)

YPARD MEMBERSHIP

• Program committee – GFAR

• Steering committee – GFAR (official communication awaited)

• Reciprocal membership – APAARI

• Advisory committee (2008-2010) – (ACP-EU) CTA

Suggestions for course of actionStimulating career development of young professionals

• Support for better advocacy for young professionals:

– Support and lobby for policies within organisations

– Negotiate “young-professional friendly” budgets

– Ensure age balance in teams

– Design research projects that are relevant to young people

Suggestions for course of actionStimulating career development of young professionals

• Develop capacity of young professionals to take part in agricultural research and policy debate by:

– innovative mentoring and experience programs– gradually involving them in policy debate– giving more support to youth-led organisations– promoting pro-activeness among young professionals

• Need for more thorough assessment of the impact of short-term contracts

Suggestions for course of actionImproving the quality of agricultural education:• More specific attention to agricultural education• Strengthening information availability on enrolment• Advocacy among donors for investments

Increasing investments in agricultural research: More involvement of private sector to stimulate innovation

Creation of youth interest in agriculture: • Among the general public in Africa• Sensitization on agricultural careers• More attention for employment and salaries• Improving awareness of African policy makers for

agricultural employment

Some examples: general• Specific focus on agriculture and Africa:

– African Youth Forum on Science and Technology (AYFST)– Programs of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

(FARA): BASIC, PAEPARD, SCARDA– Regional Universities Forum for capacity building in

agriculture (RUFORUM)

• Use of ICT tools:– Examples of tools: Grads-LinkedIn, Devex– Initiatives that use ICT as a major tool: AYFST, Research-

Africa.net, TakingITGlobal

Some examples: stimulating career development of YPs

• Lobby and advocacy:– Young Professionals’ Platform for Agricultural Research

for Development (YPARD)

• Mentoring and experience:– CTA internship programme– Netherlands Associate Expert Program

• Promote pro-activeness:– FairFood volunteers– CIDIN advanced Master programme

Thank you for your attention