Project description / objective
The ICA programme is expected to contribute to the socio-economic inclusion of rural young women and men in Ecuador, VietNam and Zambia by enhancing their access to productive and decent agribusiness and job opportunities in economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable and resilient agrifood value chains (VCs), thus sustainably moving them out of poverty, unemployment, or underemployment.
Market systems focus
Speciality cocoa in agroforestry systems, Ecuador
Boosting decent jobs for youth through a VC upgrading strategy focused on specialty cocoa in agroforestry systems
Ecuador is one of the world leaders in the production of fine cocoa, with 62 per cent market share. Fine cocoa accounts for approximately 28 per cent of cocoa volumes produced by around 190,000 farmers in Ecuador, of whom 98 per cent are small-scale farmers.
Most of the cocoa is grown in agroforestry production systems which deliver a wealth of environmental services, in addition to contributing to households’ food security and income diversification. However, the ageing of farmers is jeopardising the continuation of these virtuous production practices and more generally calls for increased youth involvement in this value chain.
Rice, VietNam
Boosting youth employment through the greening of the rice value chain
VietNam is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world. The rice sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, with 10 million farming households, and many workers employed in processing and export. The Government has prioritised, and is actively supporting, a shift towards higher value market segments for rice through greening (i.e. improved water and input use efficiency, by-product management), and modernisation, driven by increasing consumer demand both in domestic and export markets.
The greening of the VC represents an ideal setting for engaging youth as leaders of change and innovators towards more sustainable production.
Soybean, Zambia
Empowering youth to upgrade the soybean value chain
The soybean value chain forms the base for an industry worth approximately USD $830 million and sustaining almost 700 000 jobs. The booming domestic and regional demand for animal feed and for processed soy-based foods (mainly cooking oil) have contributed to attracting more small-scale farmers at production level and investments at processing level over the past decade.
The development of the soybean value chain offers high potential for boosting youth employment, not only in farming activities, but also in input marketing and distribution, farming services, transportation, grain storage, processing, packaging and marketing, and food preparation and consumption.
Programme interventions
The following are tentative interventions, to be confirmed after the inception phase (scheduled to complete around December 2024).
Speciality cocoa in agroforestry systems, Ecuador
- Support youth active or interested in the value chain of fine cocoa and related agroforestry products to connect with each other and with other actors in the chain
- Support the improvement of service provision by 1st and 2nd grade organisations in the value chain of fine cocoa through more youth-inclusive business models
- Support the establishment of an agroforestry business support partnership or dedicated incubator
Rice, VietNam
- Support the identification and promotion of youth-inclusive innovative and green business models
- Facilitate the establishment of an agribusiness incubation programme for youth
- Facilitate the design and piloting of youth-friendly and innovative financial products
- Support the strengthening of youth representation in the rice VC to enhance their participation in decision/policy-making processes
Soybean, Zambia
- Support the uptake of mechanisation and small-scale processing to expand local rural market opportunities
- Facilitate the establishment of savings and lending groups for youth for improved access to finance
- Support the improvement of market access through youth-inclusive contract farming arrangements
- Strengthen youth representation in the soybean VC to enhance their participation in decision making
Notable results (systemic change, poverty impact)
Not yet applicable (the project was formally approved in March 2024). Results will be added in due course.
[Uploaded May 2024]