IRINGA: In response to high youth populations and the growing demand for dairy in both Tanzania and Uganda, Heifer International is implementing the East Africa Youth Inclusion Program (EAYIP), a five-year program aimed at improving the livelihoods of 25,000 youth ages 15-24 economically disadvantaged young people in Tanzania and Uganda.
According to the Acting Program Manager Damas Damian, EAYIP will create employment and enterprise development opportunities to youth in the dairy sector and other agricultural value chains.
He said yesterday that the East Africa Youth Inclusion Program (EAYIP) will build upon the success of Heifer’s East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project, which has improved dairy production and market access for more than 1 million farmers since its inception in 2008.
The launching of the EAYIP program was graced by Iringa Regional Commissioner, Amina Masenza yesterday which is benefits more than 3,000 youth in Iringa region in agricultural activities.
The program has earmarked to be implemented in four regions of the southern highland zone including Songwe, Mbeya, Njombe and Iringa of which will benefit more than 14,000 youth in Tanzania.
Damian said one of the objectives of EAYIP is to equip youth with the necessary skills to create small businesses around dairy hubs or find employment in hub-related agribusinesses.
Adding that the EAYIP will also provide access to finance for young entrepreneurs to start or expand established businesses and dramatically increase youth participation in agribusiness.
On her part, Iringa Regional Commissioner, Amina Masenza said young people should not see careers in agriculture as for poor, old people, unprofitable and laborious.
She said youth should change not only the view, but the reality as well by demonstrating that farming can provide an exceptionally dignified and modern way of life.
Masenza used the opportunity to urge her leaders in the region to make use of the EAYIP program and encourage more youth in the region to participate fully.
She said that the program is meant for youth and let the youth benefit from the program, hence demonstrate that farming can provide an exceptionally dignified and modern way of life..
The program is groundbreaking for Heifer International, as it is the organization’s first program to specifically target youth in agriculture at scale.
The US$18 million investment from The MasterCard Foundation will be supplemented by additional funds from Heifer, including a US$1 million revolving loan fund for young women and men who successfully complete the full training and are ready to start or expand a business.
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