Empowering the Next Generation: The TechFarmYouth Program

Birrama is doubling down on its commitment to transform agriculture in Ethiopia by helping the next generation of farmers become technologists in their own right. The TechFarmYouth program brings secondary school students and recent graduates together with Birrama agronomists, data scientists, and partner cooperatives for a year-long immersion in modern production planning.

Participants begin with foundations in climate-smart agronomy and regenerative soil care before moving into a practical lab environment. There they test Birrama’s crop advisory models, design irrigation schedules in our simulation suite, and build yield forecasts with AI-assisted analytics. Every cohort rotates through field placements that pair them with farms already using Birrama’s platform, giving students first-hand experience tailoring digital recommendations to real microclimates.

Beyond technical upskilling, TechFarmYouth is about community impact. Each student is tasked with delivering a mini project that supports a local farm or cooperative. The inaugural cohort supported 27 smallholders, designing crop diversification plans projected to raise household revenues by 18 percent. These projects are now open-sourced through Birrama’s Learning Hub so other communities can replicate them.

Looking ahead, Birrama will scale TechFarmYouth to five additional regions, including pastoral communities historically underserved by digital services. Scholarships funded by regional banks and agritech partners will ensure gender parity and accessibility for low-income households. Applications for the 2024 cohort open in December, and interested students can register via the Birrama portal or through local agricultural bureaus.