The newly launched National Youth Development Fund is a much-welcome initiative in the fight against youth unemployment.

The fund will go a long way to empower young entrepreneurs through collateral-free loans and grants, with the aim of creating jobs and fostering economic growth. 

The N$500 million fund is capitalised with N$257 million for the 2025/26 financial year and is implemented through institutions like the Development Bank of Namibia. 

The fund supports youth-owned businesses, start-ups and cooperatives in key sectors such as agriculture, green technology, manufacturing and the creative industries. 

It is, however, important what type of businesses the youth seek funds for.

Such businesses should not only be feasible but should be what Namibia needs to grow the economy.

One sector that will forever be needing innovative thinking and approaches is the agriculture sector.

Also, it is a sector that keeps giving.

So, why not venture into Agribusiness?

Love it or hate it, agribusiness is the main player in the realm of food and fiber production.

The days of the supposed idyllic rural farm life are largely having been replaced by super-sized farms run with increasingly specialised technology. 

This is the opportunity that the youth need to venture into.

Agribusiness undoubtedly remains one of the most underrated aspects of agriculture.

The high rate of poverty in the country calls for innovative approaches to addressing such challenges and venturing into a business is a feasible option.

Agribusiness is described as the business sector encompassing farming and farming-related commercial activities.

The business involves all the steps required to send an agricultural good to market: production, processing and distribution.

Many young people in the developing world tend to shy away from agriculture.

In fact, there is growing concern worldwide that young people have become disenchanted with agriculture.

But despite these misgivings, there are opportunities in operating in the agriculture sphere.

The thrill of producing your own food, breeding livestock to your own standard and making, or simply watching your produce grow, offer more than just cash in your pocket.

It offers a sense of relief – a sense of accomplishment not easily found in other occupations.

Fortunately, the trend has been growing locally, as more young people are gladly taking on agriculture.

For those still sitting on the fence on this issue, or being a little indecisive, allow me to attempt to reveal the hidden treasures of studying agriculture.

For starters, agricultural research needs young brainpower.

Today, more than before, climate change and a growing demand for nutritious food are for fresh ideas and renewed knowledge to explore ICT in agriculture, foster climate-smart agriculture and innovate in the sector to power future growth.

Agriculture has now become a field vibrant with effective innovations, especially in the developing world – thanks to a growing number of young techie minds that make it happen.

The opportunities remain endless for these young go-getters.

Africa has enough land resources, as such young entrepreneurs should be encouraged to take up agriculture as an untapped resource of development.

Rural youth are the future of food security.

Yet, around the world, few young people see a future for themselves in agriculture or rural areas.

Rural youth face many hurdles in trying to earn a livelihood. 

Pressure on arable land is high in many parts of the world, making it difficult to start a farm.

Youth often also lack access to credit and many other productive resources necessary for agriculture.

But even if such hurdles can be overcome, is urban life not cooler?

Perhaps, but not if you cannot make a living there.

Particularly in developing countries, rural youth find themselves in such a bind.

While most of the world’s food is produced by (ageing) smallholder farmers in developing countries, older farmers are less likely to adopt the new technologies needed to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately feed the growing world population while protecting the environment.

Hence, we need to re-engage youth in agriculture.

When it comes to fighting poverty, agriculture is more effective than other sectors – another reason to take it up if changing the scope of development is your thing.

Research has shown that agriculture is up to four times more effective than other sectors in reducing poverty.

Its risks are not as high as many other sectors.

One would, however, understand why the youth are hesitant to take the leap of faith into agriculture.

While there are numerous benefits in the sector, it is not all a rosy affair. 

For instance, agriculture is highly dependent on land, which is incredibly politicised, which in turn makes agriculture or farming unattractive, especially for youth without the political connections or financial capital.

Simply put, agriculture has great potential, and so do you.

Take it up as a business.

It might be one of the best decisions you ever made.