Young people in Lesotho are expected to gain greater access to agricultural training, international networks and export market opportunities after the country secured certification to establish the Lesotho National Youth Chapter at the recent World Food Forum in Rome, Italy.
The new platform is aimed at empowering young people through skills development, knowledge sharing and engagement with agricultural networks beyond Lesotho’s borders.
Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Minister Selibe Mochoboroane said the initiative would provide young people with opportunities to acquire agricultural knowledge and practical skills with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The chapter will also create a platform for collaboration between young people in different countries, enabling them to exchange experiences and foster innovation in agriculture.
Mochoboroane said the initiative could help address some of the challenges facing youth participation in the agricultural sector by linking aspiring and established young farmers to international networks and opportunities.
He said the platform would assist young producers in exploring markets beyond their local communities, potentially opening pathways to regional and international buyers.
The establishment of the chapter comes as African governments and development partners increasingly seek to attract more young people into agriculture to address unemployment, strengthen food security and modernise farming systems.
Young people are widely viewed as critical to the future of the sector, but barriers such as limited access to training, markets, finance and technology continue to constrain participation in many countries.
The Lesotho National Youth Chapter is expected to contribute to reversing that trend by giving young people greater access to skills development opportunities and broader agricultural networks while promoting entrepreneurship in the sector.
The ministry plans to launch awareness campaigns through various communication channels to encourage participation and ensure young people understand how to benefit from the initiative.
Further details on membership and participation modalities will be announced in due course, according to the minister.
The certification marks a significant step in Lesotho’s efforts to strengthen youth involvement in agriculture and connect the country’s next generation of farmers to opportunities beyond its borders.
JN/APA