Tech meet in Rwanda set to transform the agricultural sector

Young Africans are set to converge in Rwanda next month their groundbreaking, tech-driven solutions that are set to transform the agricultural sector. Heifer International, a global nonprofit committed to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture, is set to host the inaugural AYuTe Next Gen gathering on June 11, 2024. Under the theme ‘Reimagining Africa’s Agriculture for the Next 50 Years,’ this landmark event will unite young agritech innovators and agripreneurs from across Africa with key stakeholders in agriculture and youth development. This initiative is poised to harness the continent’s boundless potential for innovation and entrepreneurship, addressing the real challenges faced by smallholder farmers and delivering transformative solutions. The Agriculture, Youth, and Technology (AYuTe) Africa Next Gen initiative, launched by Heifer International in 2021, has already sparked significant interest and participation. The initiative aims to leverage youth-driven innovation to revolutionize agriculture in Africa. Many winning solutions from past competitions have already made tangible impacts on the continent's agricultural development. This year, Heifer International marks 80 years of global support for smallholder farmers and 50 years of dedicated efforts in Africa. To celebrate these milestones, the AYuTe Next Gen gathering will serve as a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of agripreneurs and innovators, setting the stage for the next 50 years of agricultural transformation in Africa. “The AYuTe Next Gen gathering provides agripreneurs, policymakers, investors, innovators, and other key stakeholders with the opportunity to witness young African innovators in agriculture pitching their ideas as we seek to identify and reward the top performers with cash prizes and the technical support they need to scale their innovations,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President, Africa Programs, Heifer International. “It is also a platform for young agripreneurs to lead important conversations, share knowledge, and forge partnerships with critical stakeholders to drive progress towards a more secure and sustainable food system in Africa.” Finalists from AYuTe national competitions across several countries will compete for top regional prizes at the conference. These finalists, shortlisted after rigorous screening and technical assessments, will have their innovations evaluated by a panel of expert judges who will then select and announce the winners. “Every innovator within the AYuTe ecosystem is a winner; our ongoing collaborations with them provide us with front-row seats to the impact of their tech-driven solutions for smallholder farmers’ challenges,” said Dayo Aduroja, Africa Youth and Innovation Lead, Heifer International. “The AYuTe Next Gen gathering is another opportunity for stakeholders and partners to see what we see and join us in supporting the bringing to market of home-grown technology and innovation that powers our smallholder farmers to increased productivity and incomes.” As the agricultural landscape in Africa stands on the brink of significant transformation, the AYuTe Next Gen gathering represents more than just an event; it is a movement toward a sustainable, innovative future for agriculture in Africa. By fostering a community of young, driven agripreneurs, Heifer International is paving the way for a new era of agricultural prosperity and resilience across the continent.