Fatshimetrie, July 19, 2024 – A glimmer of hope seems to illuminate the future of young people in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai Oriental province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as an innovative initiative has been launched to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture. This awareness-raising morning, orchestrated by the development structure “Renaissance du Foyer de Développement Africain” (RFDA), aims to divert the attention of young people from the sole expectations of corporate jobs, to encourage them to embrace the opportunities offered by the agricultural sector.
Albert Badibanga, spokesperson for the RFDA in Kasai Oriental, stressed the urgency of this approach: “Many young people tend to look for salaried jobs in companies, but it is crucial to raise their awareness of the benefits and opportunities offered by agricultural entrepreneurship. Fighting unemployment and food insecurity requires increased engagement in the agricultural sector.”
The meeting was marked by the presence of agricultural experts who enthusiastically shared their knowledge and experiences, highlighting the countless benefits of agriculture. The young participants, visibly inspired, exchanged on their discoveries and the future prospects that a stronger involvement in this field could offer.
Daddy Ilunga, an agricultural engineer and speaker at this initiative, urged the young people to consider agriculture as a path to independence and prosperity: “The money lies in entrepreneurship. If we become aware of our capacities to create jobs, to exploit the wealth of our arable soils, we could change our destiny. Wealth is not beyond our reach, we just have to make the decision to act.”
This moment of awareness was an opportunity for these young people to discover a new horizon, that of modern agriculture, carrying values and opportunities. The seeds of this meeting could well germinate into future vocations and successes, thus testifying to a collective awareness of the real levers of economic and social development. A new generation, ready to take up the challenge and shape a more flourishing future for Mbuji-Mayi and beyond.
This initiative, simple in appearance, but rich in challenges and promises, represents a breath of fresh air for a youth in search of meaning and real opportunities. It demonstrates that change can be born from individual and collective awareness, and that the union of vital forces around innovative projects can truly transform lives and communities. A story in progress, that of young people determined to cultivate a promising future.