http://www.fao.org/africa/events/detail-events/en/c/330741/ Presentation of Jean Paul Nyabyenda from MIJARC, describing the role of youth in Agroecology. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the Regional Symposium on Agroecology in sub-Saharan Africa, held in Dakar, Senegal on 5-6 November 2015. © FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. A Presentation of:
Eng. Jean Paul NYABYENDA
MIJARC Africa President
AGRO ECOLOGY:
SOCIAL INNOVATION, LIVELIHOODS AND
TECHNOLOGY
“ROLE OF YOUTH”

2. Contents
 About MIJARC
 Youth and agro ecology
 MIJARC and agro ecology: Social innovation, Livelihoods
and Technology
 Case of MIJARC - Rwanda
 Rwanda and Agro ecology: Social innovation, Livelihoods
and Technology
 Benefits, changes, visions

3. About MIJARC
 International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural
Youth
 Organisation of young people for young people with young
people
 Established in 1954 in Brussels, Belgium
 Work area: Gender Issues, Religion and Culture, Right Based
Approach and Sustainability
 “training in action” and “see-judge-act” improve living
conditions, generate incomes, transform villages and
regions

4. Structure
MIJARC World
Team: President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Chaplain
MIJARC Latin
America
Team
Coordi
-nators
MIJARC Asia
Team
Coordi
-nator
MIJARC Europe
Team
Coordi
-nators
MIJARC Africa
Team
Coordi
-nators
National
Movements (_)
National
Movements (_)
National
Movements (_)
National
Movements (_)
ContinentalWorld
Nati-
onal

5. Youth and agro ecology
 whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems
development based on traditional knowledge, alternative
agriculture, and local food system experiences
 incorporates practical, low cost and ecology-based
technologies for productive farming  Sustainable Agriculture

6. Agro ecology principles
1. Use of renewable resources
2. Minimize toxics
3. Conserve resources (Soil,
Water, energy, genetic
resources, capital, etc.)
4. Manage ecological
relationship (in soil, Beneficial
insects)
5. Adjust to local environments
6. Diversify
7. Empower people
8. Manage whole systems
9. Maximize long-term benefits
10. Value health

7. MIJARC and agro ecology:
Social innovation, Livelihoods & Technology
 Training on Environmental management, Agro ecology
principles, leadership and Gender
 Livestock (Small )and vegetables cultivation projects
 Sustainable clean energy (Briquettes, improved stove,
solar energy, etc.) and Small scale farming system
 Youth Saving Spirit (VSLA) and information sharing
 Lobby, Advocacy, etc.

8. Case of MIJARC–Rwanda in respect of agro ecology:
Social innovation, Livelihoods & Technology

9. RWANDA and agro ecology:
Social innovation, Livelihoods & Technology.
 Technical Schools and Vocational
Training Centres
 ToTs for sustainable agricultural e.g:
Farmer promoters & Farmer field
schools
 Human right, Gender and
indigenous promotion
 Entrepreneurship facilitation (youth
and women)especially in
Agriculture sector
 Youth Cooperatives
 Village Saving and Loan
Associations (youth, women)
 Gender equity in Agro ecology
 Water catchment (Tanks under
subsidy)
 Irrigation equipment under
subsidy(Drip, Sprinkler, surface)
 Mechanization and local varieties
seeds
 Small scale farming(Kitchen
garden, Sacs garden, etc.)
 Natural resource protection and
management (EIA)
 Use of software system e.g: e-soko
 Etc.

10. Benefits, Changes, Visions
 Policies & strategies need to be more dynamic and appealing in order
to attract young people (> 65% of African population)  Youth are
engine of development, they bring energy, vitality and innovation into
the work force
 willingness to contribute should be matched with opportunity
transformative impact on economic growth and social
development
 encourage democratic and decentralized decision-making by
farmers
 potential to create jobs (directly and indirectly)
 linking ecology, culture, economics, and society to sustain agricultural
production, healthy environment, viable food and farming
communities.

11. Who win young people,
win the Future Leaders and
secure the Future Generations!