Young Farmers

Igniting young farmers’ enthusiasm for vegetable farming

‘Young Farmers present a huge goldmine that can provide a solution to the main challenges of the 21st century. Their energy and passion, empowered with the right tools and measures, will boost the entire agricultural sector towards a sustainable future for all.’ - 2022 GFFA Young Farmers Statement

Young farmers are the future of food security. Yet around the world, very few young people see agriculture as a means of livelihood. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit very hard and only increased the hurdles in trying to earn a livelihood. In addition, the pressures on the arable land across geographies are growing daily. Young farmers often lack access to productive resources such as extension, training, credit, and land ownership that are essential for success.

The challenge is how to ignite young farmers’ enthusiasm and re-engage them in agriculture by enhancing their knowledge about new technologies and approaches that encourage sustainable farming practices and increase productivity and income.

East-West Seed is committed to training farmers at every stage with improved techniques in commercial vegetable farming. We create tailor-made learning programs that can provide them with the skills and

insights needed to engage in farming and adopt environmentally sustainable practices. We are also playing our part in connecting them to markets where they can sell their produce at a better price. We help them to become agripreneurs, and raise their self-esteem and confidence that they can make a living in rural areas.

This section presents some of our young farmers who made their mark by becoming successful examples for many in their own countries.

‘If we do not choose the right seed, we will waste time and money. We also need good agricultural practices; otherwise, crops will fail. In 2020, I grew half a hectare of butternut pumpkin. I got unexpected earnings. I bought a hand tractor.

I believe that I will be successful because

I am young and I observe varieties, market prices, and the preferences of traders. If I don’t know something, I ask others who have the knowledge and I search on the internet.’

‘I am 26 and married, with 2 children. I grow vegetables and crops like maize, simsim, cassava, and beans. Vegetables are my cash crops.

I applied what I have learned from EastWest Seed’s Knowledge Transfer. I make more money than most people working in government.

My happiest moment was building my own house from my vegetable earnings, which is a rare achievement for someone of my age in our community. I see how I can sustain myself now. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school, but I will work hard to ensure that my children get the best education.’