Youth Empowerment For Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture in Rwanda (YESPAR) Project.
The project Youth Empowerment For Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture in Rwanda (YESPAR)takes place at Amizero Institute of Technology and Hospitality (AMITH)in Kayonza District, aims to equip150 Rwandan youth with essential agricultural skills through short-term training in areas such as irrigation, mechanization, and post-harvest handling to contribute to the long term transformation of Rwanda's agricultural sector.
Background
Problem analysis:
I) Poverty and Unemployment:
Rwanda’s rural poverty rate is at 43%, the urban poverty rate is 16%. Urbanisation
growth rate has been 22% over the last 25 years (Rwanda, IFAD, 2021 and UN
Habitat). 70% of the Rwandan population is employed in the agriculture sector
and farming contributes 30% of national GDP.
II) Agriculture
Agriculture in Rwanda is characterised by:
· Lack of economic infrastructure
· Inadequate policies on education
· Low attractiveness of employment in agriculture
· Dependence on rain fed agriculture & increasing vulnerability to climate risks losses
· Low agricultural productivity & high post-harvest
· Low access to finances, equipment & machinery
III) Higher Education
· Low availability and accessibility of formal training in agriculture with low entry bar;
· The transition rate from primary to lower secondary for age-appropriate girls and boys is very low, with a net intake rate of 17%;
· Low literacy level: 36% of women and 26% of men cannot read and write a simple note or do a written calculation (2017).
Project core: The project's objective is to establish a TVET school in agriculture to empower young farmers with hands-on, technical knowledge in Kayonza district, Eastern Rwanda.
1. Vocational Training School
· General theory including climate smart agriculture
2. Specialisations:
· Mechanisation
· Irrigation
· Post-harvest Handling & Storage
3. Entrepreneurship & Financial Access
· Financial literacy and entrepreneurship courses
· Access to financial services for business start-ups
4. Post-Graduation Job Market Linkage
· Mentorship & continued guidance
· Support for launching profitable farming activities.
Target group:
1. Student selection:
· Young people from rural communities between 18 and 25 years of age including secondary school graduates and drop-outs
· Vulnerable to climate and market shocks
· With limited access to public services and agricultural technology
· Motivated and independent
· Income < 2 USD / day
2. Student experience
· Boarding at school
· Full scholarship
· 1 month of general education and 5 months specialisation in mechanisation, irrigation or post-harvest handling and storage
· 2 months of internship
· Goal: income 5 USD / day
Project objectives
Expected outcomes after 3 years:
· 95% students graduate in mechanized agriculture, irrigation or post-harvest handling
· 80% graduates reach gainful employment or self-employment in relevant field after 6 months
· 70% graduates’ access financial services to kick start their business
· 6 teaching cycles with covered tuition fee 2+ teaching cycles paying tuition fee.
SDGs focus contribution
· Sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices target 2.4
· Equal access to affordable technical, vocational and higher education target 4.3
· Promote youth employment, education and training target 8.6