Explorers October 2013 | Page 10

Learning to farm for

the future

ARUSHA, Tanzania - Agriculture is essential for growth in developing nations who aim to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015. In sub-Saharan Africa agriculture employs 65 percent of the labor force and accounts for 32 percent of gross domestic product. However, young people are increasingly disengaged with agriculture and choosing not to pursue the career of their forefathers.

U.S. based youth organization 4-H believes that the more than one billion people between 12 and 24 are they key to feeding the world.

Through gardening programs in primary and secondary schools in the U.S. and abroad, 4-H reaches 7 million young people and has clubs in more than 70 countries.

Text: Imani M. Cheers

Video/Photo: Gabriella Demczuk