The Young Leaders Incubation Programme as a catalyst for personal development and entrepreneurship for the next generation of leaders
This is also made possible by AHA’s Young Leaders Incubation Programme (YLIP): a talent accelerator that strengthens participants as entrepreneurs and as individuals. YLIP combines deep-dive trainings in (self-)leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial thinking with intensive coaching to empower a next generation of female entrepreneurs and leaders. This was exactly what could be felt in the agripreneurs as YLIP alumni: clear communication, a reflective mindset, and entrepreneurial thinking that does not stop at the idea. YLIP has its roots in AHA’s legendary TOP course. It therefore goes without saying that the YLIP alumni were also brought into intensive exchange with participants of the current 51st TOP course, in order to broaden perspectives together.
Solutions that last: seven business models for seven local challenges
One common thread ran through all activities: water, as the focus theme of this year’s GFFA, is not merely taken into account—it is a key factor for operational success. Examples include vertical hydroponics with rainwater retention, storage tanks, circular systems, and fertigation in South Africa; also in South Africa, a closed, solar-powered aquaponics model that links fish and vegetable production in a closed loop and integrates insect farming for fish feed; water-efficient rice and ginger cultivation with more than 500 women farmers in contract farming in Nigeria; or dairy farming complemented by hydroponic fodder production and portable, low-cost mini biogas systems for individual farms in Ethiopia.
A strong confirmation of the quality that YLIP produces was also that four of the young agripreneurs were simultaneously nominated for the Young Farmers’ Forum. There, they contributed to a joint declaration by 20 young farmers from around the world, which was subsequently presented to the Conference of Agriculture Ministers with more than 60 agriculture ministers. In this way, a bridge is also built between local activities and global policy frameworks.
The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization: five regions, one shared mission
Also present in Berlin were the presidents of the five regional associations under the umbrella of the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO)—bringing together the voices of millions of African farmers. And they ensured that these voices were heard—through in-depth discussions with ministry representatives, on high-level panels, or at a networking event on the “International Year of Women in Agriculture.”
What remains—and what matters next
This week was also a reality check: the next generation has long been delivering and is tackling challenges head-on. AHA supports them exactly where the biggest levers are: in the personality, personal responsibility, and entrepreneurial mindset of young entrepreneurs—and strengthens them in a targeted and individual way so that they can carry their impact even further in the future.
