The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teva Foods, Chima Christian, has called on young Africans to take ownership of the continent’s agribusiness sector in order to meet the demands of its rapidly growing population.
In a voice note shared recently, Christian emphasized that the rising cost of food is not solely the result of government policies. Instead, he attributed much of the inflation to a declining number of active farmers, even as the population continues to surge.
“Africa’s population currently stands at around 1.5 billion, and every year we add approximately 36 million more people. These are new mouths that must be fed,” he said.
According to him, while the continent still possesses vast arable land, its farming population is aging and gradually phasing out of active production.
“We are relying on an aging farmer base to feed a rapidly increasing population, and they simply cannot meet the demand,” “That is why more people especially the youth must step into and take ownership of the agribusiness space in Africa.”he said .
Christian stressed that if Africa continues to experience such rapid population growth, food insecurity will only worsen unless more young people engage in agriculture.
“As the older generation of farmers ages out and the younger generation remains largely disengaged from farming, there will inevitably be a gap in food production,” “This imbalance will continue to drive up food prices.”he stated.
He also highlighted that agriculture extends beyond just crop cultivation. “Food production includes animal husbandry, food processing, logistics, and the entire agricultural value chain. Young people need to explore these areas to build a sustainable future,” he added.
Christian urged African youth to view agribusiness not just as a necessity, but as a viable and profitable career path capable of transforming the continent’s economy.
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