With their newfound Climate Smart Agriculture skills, Florida and Emmanuel have transformed their livelihoods as young agri-preneurs, both on farms and off the farm in their local communities. Florida is now a self-reliant young woman, while Emmanuel, who lives with a disability, is proving that disability is not inability.
Florida creates her own job
Florida, 25, comes from a family of 5 children. After completing her secondary education in History, Economics and Geography, she struggled to find employment. However, her life changed when she discovered an opportunity to develop job creation skills tailored to young people.
“I acquired several skills related to job creation, particularly in climate-smart agriculture. This played a vital role in changing my future,” Florida shares.
For the past 2 years, she has been part of an agricultural cooperative where she cultivates vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, tree tomatoes, and cabbages.
“I was trained on climate smart agriculture. The most important it provided me, as a girl, is the ability to create my own job, find work, and become self-reliant,” Florida explains.
Today, Florida owns a stall at her local market, earning a steady income while inspiring others in her community.
Youth with disability turns green skills into a livelihood
Emmanuel, 21, is the eldest of 3 children in his family. Born with a physical disability, he endured social exclusion, but now has hopes for a brighter future.
“As a person with a physical disability, I once had no hope for a better future. Now, I am a farmer who supplies the local market,” Emmanuel says.
Emmanuel attended business management training, learning how to establish and manage a small agricultural business. Inspired by these new skills, Emmanuel began cultivating onions along the lakeshore.
In just a year and a half, his efforts bore fruit. From his harvest income, as he testifies, Emmanual purchased a plot of land for Rwf 200,000 and 6 goats for Rwf 190,000.
“From my harvests, I’ve acquired small livestock, including 6 goats, bought a plot of land for my house, and now have hope for a better tomorrow.”
About the project
Florida and Emmanuel are participants in the Future is Green! Promoting Youth Agri-Preneurship Project in Bugesera District.
During the July to September 2024 season, their 42 member cooperative harvested impressive yields, including 52,545kg of tomatoes, 42,200kg of onions, 1,612kg of carrots, 2,214kg of green bell peppers, 492kg of amaranthus, 272kg of beetroot, and 9,013kg of cabbages.
Since starting, this project has engaged 1009 youth, with 10 technical vocational educational training centers and 10 farmers cooperatives, comprising 60% females and 40% males. It works with local partners to provide and improve market-driven agriculture and entrepreneurship training that is gender-responsive and youth-friendly, and creates opportunities for youth employment.
The project aims to create jobs through enhanced enterprise development, inclusive financial services and market access. It also supports community environments for youth engagement in the promotion of gender inclusive employment and climate smart solutions in agriculture. It is implemented by Plan International Rwanda in partnership with African Evangelistic Enteprise and Inkomoko Entreprenuer Development across Bugesera, Nyaruguru and Gatsibo Districts.
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