JEAUB — Jeunes Entrepreneurs en Agriculture Urbaine et Biologique, Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)

A youth training programme in organic urban farming launched in 2020 in Abidjan's Yopougon commune. On half a hectare, tomatoes and cucumbers are grown soil-free without chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Its distinguishing feature is that growing skills and entrepreneurship are taught as one continuous path, ending with graduates set up as independent producers.

Young Ivorians who want to learn organic urban farming join as trainees. In the first two years 60 were trained and 30 moved into work; for 2022 a further 60 were targeted and 30 selected, ten of them women.

Jointly run by Action contre la Faim and PFS Yop, a youth employment organisation. €308,000 raised by the October 2021 Z Event charity stream part-funds the work. Training covers not only growing but business creation, management, trade and accounting, and graduates receive equipment and inputs to start out on their own.

Of the first 60 trainees, 30 found work, and pesticide-free vegetables began circulating in the neighbourhood; the model has also extended to rooftop growing sites. Its current status is unverified.

This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.

• OfficialAction contre la Faim soutient l'agriculture à Abidjan (Action contre la Faim) ↗actioncontrelafaim.org