By Zablon Oyugi
Heifer International, a global nonprofit body working to eradicate poverty and hunger has partnered with Mastercard Foundation, a Canadian charity organization to expand access to agribusiness opportunities for more than 250,000 youth in Uganda.
Under the Heifer-led ‘Stimulating Agriculture for Youth Employment (SAYE)’ project, the initiative targets youth drawn from nine districts of the eastern Uganda’s Busoga sun-region such as Mayuge, Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugweri, Kaliro, Buyende, Namayengo, Namutumba, Bugiri and Luka.
The project which will run from 2023 to 2029 aims at empowering young people aged 16 to 35 by improving skills, expanding market access and offering inclusive financing in key sectors including poultry, horticulture, oilseed, dairy and beef value chains.
Moreover, the project will also focus on diversifying value chains, embracing tech solutions, and adopting climate-smart agriculture.
“Our goal is to transform the market ecosystem in Busoga in a way that drives inclusion and economic resilience for the many young people who currently have trouble securing dignified and fulfilling work,” said Heifer International president and CEO, Surita Sandosham.
The $48 million SAYE project will build on the work of Heifer International’s East Africa Youth Inclusion Program (EAYIP), which was also in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, and created 33,000 new jobs for more than 25,000 young people between 2016 and 2022.
EAYIP leveraged an agri-hub model to boost young people’s access to technical, business and financial products and services.
Under SAYE, Heifer will lead the formation and strengthening of youth- and farmer-led agri-hubs, while local partners will focus on business incubation, skills training, promoting micro, small and medium enterprises, and improving access to financial services.
Mastercard Foundation’s country director for Uganda, Adrian Bukenya emphasised on the charity’s commitment to creating opportunities for the Ugandan youth through the Young Africa Works strategy.
He also remarked on their goal to enable 4.3mn Ugandan youth, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
“This initiative will equip them with the necessary skills and resources to engage in various aspects of the agriculture value chain,” Bukenya said.
Heifer International began working in Uganda in 1982 by delivering cattle to rural communities. To date, Heifer Uganda has supported over 6 million families across the country through agriculture and environmentally-sound economic development programs.
Heifer Uganda is currently present in 19 districts of the Central, Eastern, West Nile and Northern regions.
