Validity period: April 2024–May 2027
Budget: USD 1 732 615

Investing in youth and empowering young agri-entrepreneurs to invest responsibly in their farms and businesses are fundamental to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While attracting youth to invest in agriculture is key for the future of food security, many of them see no future for themselves in agriculture due to the many obstacles they face. High rates of youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas, demand determined policy responses to stimulate inclusive economic growth. In this respect, measures to empower young agricultural entrepreneurs should be a key element of strategies to promote responsible investment focused on sustainable development. Through this project, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will support the consolidation of an ecosystem conducive to responsible agricultural investment and enhance the capacity of young agri-entrepreneurs to invest responsibly in the agricultural sector.

Goal

The project’s ultimate aim is to enhance sustainable agrifood systems through the integration of the Committee on World Food Security Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) in relevant policies, programmes, processes and investments. To achieve this goal, the project will provide advocacy and technical assistance to key institutions, deliver capacity-development initiatives, and provide direct support to young agri-entrepreneurs. FAO will provide support to: i) strengthen the institutional and policy framework related to investments in agriculture; ii) develop the capacities of business coaches to use the CFS-RAI in their work through a set of learning materials and capacity-development processes; and iii) create and expand youth-led responsible investment in agriculture projects.

Impact

The project will support the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems by enhancing responsible investment by youth, thereby stimulating economic growth in rural areas and reducing distress migration.

Approach

This intervention presents an innovative approach underpinned by the idea that while attracting youth to invest in agriculture is key for the future of food security, it is equally important that those investments generate a triple performance for people (benefit for local communities and consumers), profits (returns for the investor), and planet (environmental sustainability).
In recent years, FAO has implemented an innovative approach in Tunisia aimed at stimulating responsible investment in agriculture and food systems (RAI) by young agri-entrepreneurs. Based on the proven success of this approach, this project will adapt it to the contexts of Mauritania and Senegal. The main components are:

• strengthening capacities of business coaches and advisers working with young agri entrepreneurs to guarantee the social, economic and environmental performance of agricultural investments through the application of the RAI acceleration toolkit. The toolkit includes a business model for responsible agricultural investment, a RAI business plan and a tool to identify capacity-development needs, as well as various other related tools
• identifying responsible investment opportunities in agriculture. This methodology identifies regions with high investment needs and potential on the basis of socioeconomic indicators, as well as value chains within these regions with investment needs accessible to young agri-entrepreneurs
• developing a RAI agri-accelerator targeting young agri-entrepreneurs with responsible investment projects to provide them with a five-month coaching support programme. Mentors and business coaches support the young agri-entrepreneurs using the RAI acceleration toolbox, to help them achieve the triple performance of their investments

Partner Countries: Senegal, Mauretanien, Gambia

Resource Partners

Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

Partners

Government agencies specialized in employment, youth and agricultural entrepreneurship, among others; non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for youth; producer organizations and research institutions.

Beneficiaries

Young agri-entrepreneurs already investing in agrifood chains; coaches and business advisers who support young agri- entrepreneurs; relevant government institutions that support young agri-entrepreneurs.

Released 21. Nov 2024 as text

Address

FAO
Rue 46-067
665 Las Palmas, Nouakchott
Mauretania

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