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📍 Lusaka, Zambia
On 28th and 29th May, 2025, Youth including Young professionals from the YPARD Zambia Chapter joined industry leaders, policymakers, and agripreneurs for a two-day workshop under the theme "Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship Across Agrifood Systems." Convened by Hydrangea, WEAC, ICLEI, and the FAO, the event focused on unlocking opportunities, improving market access, and driving sustainable innovation in Zambia’s agrifood sector.
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Meembo Changula(ICLEI) welcomed the young people to the fora, her remarks were followed by official opening remarks from Lusaka Town Clerk Eng. Liftry Ndaba who appreciated the workshop convenors and underscored the urgent need for youth engagement in Agri food systems, “This action will not only help mitigate the challenges in food production but give young people broader platforms to sustain themselves and their communities.”
The National Food and Nutrition Commission deputy director , Matthews Mhuru, delivered the event's keynote: Highlighting emerging trends and presenting Zambia’s upcoming 10-year food systems plan. He went on to call attention to the critical intersections of population growth, climate change, health concerns and economic development.
The director acknowledged slow youth participation in governance and urged young leaders to step up. “On governance, youth participation has been slow… the food systems technical working group has received only one youth application, which is still under review.” He strongly encouraged young people to familiarize themselves with key national documents, including the Zambia Food Systems Transformation Pathways: The Road to 2030.
At the Youth Marketplace, agripreneurs from Tisaleme Multi-Purpose Cooperative for Women and Youth and Natwange Cooperative showcased innovative projects such as cassava porridge, moringa porridge and fruit tree seedlings, fostering networking and market linkages.
A panel featuring Charles Tembo (Umwana Foundation), Mirirai Chirambo (Farmer), Dalitso Luke Mbewe (CAYACC), Eugene Kaango (Lecturer & Agripreneur), and Peter Chulu (Trader, Chilenje Market) explored governance barriers, financial challenges, and limited youth participation in agrifood development. Panelists urged youth to demand a seat at the decision-making table, expand opportunity searches, and offer innovative solutions to transform the Agrifood systems sector.
Day two focused on strategic policy recommendations, with FAO, Lusaka City Council, GIZ and other stakeholders leading discussions on strengthening youth-led agrifood systems. Participants collaboratively developed a roadmap outlining priority areas, stakeholder roles, and implementation timelines.
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✅ Demand stronger youth representation in agrifood policy decisions—no decisions about food systems should be made without young leaders at the table.
✅ Unlock funding and market opportunities— build capacity of young people to access waivers, investment capital, and direct market linkages to scale their agribusinesses.
✅ Prioritize green skills and sustainable food models—governments and institutions must invest in youth-led sustainability initiatives for long-term food security.
✅ Forge high-impact collaborations—establish dynamic partnerships between youth, industries, and policymakers to drive innovation and economic growth.
✅ Move beyond tokenism—empower co-creation—young people must not be symbolic participants but decision-makers and architects of sustainable agrifood systems.
The workshop underscored the critical role of youth in shaping Zambia’s agrifood future, reinforcing the need for continuous engagement, strategic interventions, and collective action.
YPARD Zambia Country Representative, Sussana Phiri, expressed appreciation: "This meeting aligns perfectly with YPARD’s mandate—to empower young leaders in shaping and transforming agrifood systems. We are pleased to contribute and look forward to the implementation of our submissions.”
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