We are pleased to formally announce that Ochola Evance has commenced his internship with Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) as of 1st November 2025, with a focus on project planning and management, agricultural policy, and youth engagement in the agricultural sector. This opportunity represents a significant step in his professional development, enabling him to contribute to a global network dedicated to strengthening youth participation, innovation, and leadership in agriculture. His academic training and professional experiences in agribusiness management, advanced agriculture, and international farm management, supported by practical exposure in Kenya, Israel, and Germany have shaped his commitment to promoting climate-smart agriculture, inclusive food systems, and community-centered development. Through roles in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and youth-led sustainability initiatives, he has developed a strong foundation for understanding agricultural value chains, the challenges facing young professionals, and the urgency for transformative solutions in global food systems. These experiences have prepared him to effectively engage with the mission and activities of YPARD.
Through this internship, Ochola aims to deepen his competencies in project design, implementation, and evaluation, with particular attention to tools and methodologies used in international development contexts. "I look forward to supporting the coordination of YPARD’s ongoing initiatives, contributing to the preparation of project documentation, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. Strengthening these skills is essential to my long-term goal of contributing to well-structured, evidence-based agricultural development programs. In addition, I anticipate gaining meaningful exposure to agricultural policy processes at regional and global levels. I am particularly interested in understanding how youth-centered perspectives inform policy discussions related to food systems transformation, climate resilience, capacity building, and digital innovation in agriculture. By contributing to research support, policy reviews, and knowledge-sharing activities, I hope to broaden my ability to participate in and influence policy dialogues that shape sustainable agricultural development." - Ochola Evance
Furthermore, engaging with YPARD’s global youth network presents a valuable opportunity for learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Ochola looks forward to interacting with young professionals from diverse regions, supporting youth-led initiatives, and contributing to the strengthening of platforms that amplify youth voices in agriculture. He believes that such interactions will enhance his leadership abilities and expand his understanding of youth empowerment within the broader agricultural development landscape. This internship marks an important milestone in Ochola Evance’s professional journey. YPARD is excited to have him on board and confident in his commitment to contributing diligently to our initiatives while advancing his own learning objectives. We are proud to support a young professional whose aspirations for agricultural transformation, innovation, and youth engagement align closely with our organizational vision. We look forward to a productive and enriching period of collaboration and growth throughout the duration of his internship.
