SOUTH AFRICA | Rural Commercialization & Market Development
FCI targets alternative sources of livelihoods for the youth thus contributing directly to job creation, crime and poverty reduction in South Africa
Programme Summary
FCI plans to undertake commercialization, market opportunities, youth employment analysis, women integration in agri-business as well as value chain assessments in Limpopo, Kwazulu Natal and Eastern Cape in South Africa. This analysis will form the basis for commercialization and market development targeting rural communities and innovatively drawing youth and women into market-led production and agribusiness opportunities.
The goal of this intervention is to increase market participation of smallholder farmers and encourage youth participation in trade and agriculture activities thus enhancing sustainability and profitability of smallholder agro-enterprises. FCI realizes that the future of agriculture is dependent on harnessing the skills of the youth in an integrated approach with other farmers to guarantee food security.
This intervention will be critical, especially for the South African youth because, Africa Development Indicators Report on youth employment indicates that the world population is estimated at 1.2 billion people at the ages of 15 to 24 years, an increase of 17% compared to 1995, or 18% of the world population. In view of the high unemployment and crime rates among the youth in South Africa, FCI interventions intend to create alternative sources of livelihoods thereby contributing towards job creation, crime and poverty reduction. This can and will be achieved.
Highlights
FCI plans to undertake commercialization, market opportunities, youth employment analysis, women integration in agri-business as well as value chain assessments in Limpopo, Kwazulu Natal and Eastern Cape in South Africa. This analysis will form the basis for commercialization and market development targeting rural communities and innovatively drawing youth and women into market-led production and agribusiness opportunities.
The goal of this intervention is to increase market participation of smallholder farmers which encompass youth participation programmes in agricultural trade, thus enhancing sustainability and profitability of smallholder agro-enterprises. We realize that the future of agriculture is dependent on harnessing the skills of the youth in an integrated approach with other farmers to ensure food security.
This intervention will be critical especially for the South African youth because, Africa Development Indicators Report on youth employment indicates that today’s world population is estimated at 1.2 billion, at the ages of 15 to 24 years, an increase of 17% compared to 1995, or 18% of the world population. About 87% of these young people live in countries with developing economies. In Africa, 200 million people are in this range, comprising more than 20% of the population (United Nations 2007). In view of the high unemployment and crime rates among the youth in South Africa, FCI interventions intend to create alternative sources of livelihoods thereby contributing towards job creation, crime and poverty reduction. This can be achieved, and will be achieved!
News
FCI Sets Foot in South Africa to Fight Youth Unemployment
According to World Bank stats, South Africa unemployment rate is currently at 52%. Farm Concern International aims to lower this percentage by turning around the smallholder’s economic empowerment in South Africa. To actualize this, FCI is preparing to start operations in South Africa through the Rural Commercialization & Market Development in South Africa, (RuCoMaDeS)... Read More
FCI Programmes
FCI VISION :Commercialized smallholder communities with increased incomes for improved, stabilized & sustainable livelihoods in Africa and beyond.