GCSAYN and KickStart International Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Empower Youth-Led Climate‑Smart Agriculture
and Smallholder Irrigation in Africa
Yaoundé, Cameroon / Nairobi, Kenya — 25 Sept, 2025:- The Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) and KickStart International are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will deepen collaboration in youth engagement, capacity building, sustainable irrigation, and climate-resilient agriculture across Sub‑Saharan Africa.
The agreement, signed today by the leadership of both organizations, aims to harness the complementary strengths of GCSAYN’s global youth network and KickStart’s proven irrigation technologies to scale climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and empower youth-led agribusiness in rural communities.
Key Elements of the Partnership
Under the MoU, GCSAYN and KickStart International agree to collaborate across several core areas:
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Youth capacity-building & training
GCSAYN will mobilize its network of youth in over 170 countries to co-design training modules, peer exchanges, and mentorship opportunities around climate-smart irrigation and sustainable agribusiness. -
Technology introduction & adoption
KickStart will provide access to its innovative, small-scale irrigation pumps and related technologies for use in pilot projects with youth groups, demonstration plots, and climate-smart agriculture clubs in GCSAYN member countries. -
Field demonstrations & pilot sites
Jointly, GCSAYN and KickStart will establish demonstration farms and youth-run pilot sites to showcase the viability and benefits of irrigated climate-smart farming systems in diverse agroecological zones. -
Research, monitoring & learning
The partners will co‑monitor and evaluate the impacts of these interventions—tracking metrics such as increased yields, water use efficiency, income gains, adoption rates, and youth participation—to build evidence for scaling. -
Advocacy & policy engagement
Leveraging GCSAYN’s global youth networks and KickStart’s field experience, the partnership will engage governments, NGOs, and donors to promote enabling policies, investment in smallholder irrigation, and youth inclusion in climate adaptation agendas.
Strategic Rationale & Expected Impact
Agriculture in Sub‑Saharan Africa remains highly rain-dependent; less than 4 % of farmland is irrigated, leaving smallholder farmers vulnerable to climate variability. KickStart’s model of distributing affordable, human- or solar-powered pumps has already reached more than 400,000 farmers across 17 countries, enabling year-round cropping, increased incomes, and resilience to droughts.
Meanwhile, GCSAYN’s global youth network spans more than 170 countries and is committed to raising awareness, building capacities, and mobilizing youth for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems.
By combining these strengths, the partnership is expected to:
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Accelerate youth-led adoption of climate-smart irrigation
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Increase agricultural productivity and resilience
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Facilitate green livelihood opportunities for youth
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Amplify policy impact and investment in youth-inclusive irrigation infrastructure
Quotes from Leadership
Mr. Divine Ntiokam, Founder & Executive Director of GCSAYN, remarked:
“This MoU signals a new chapter in youth‑driven transformation of agriculture. Through collaboration with KickStart, we will enable young farmers to adopt sustainable irrigation, enhance food security, and lead in climate resilience.”
Peter Juma, President & COO of KickStart International added:
“Partnering with GCSAYN gives KickStart the opportunity to reach youth-led farming communities at scale. By co‑creating training, demonstrations, and advocacy, we believe this collaboration will unlock transformative impact for smallholder farmers and future agricultural entrepreneurs.”
Next Steps & Implementation Timeline
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Pilot phase (6–12 months): select 3–5 countries with strong youth networks and irrigation potential; establish demonstration plots, roll out joint training, and monitor results.
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Scaling phase (years 2–4): expand to additional countries across Africa, leveraging youth networks and local partners.
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Policy & advocacy agenda: engage national governments, regional bodies, and donors to support smallholder irrigation investment and youth inclusion in climate policy.
About GCSAYN
The Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) is a dynamic global network of young individuals and partner organizations committed to spreading awareness and building capacity in climate-smart agriculture. Present in over 170 countries, GCSAYN seeks to empower youth to lead in sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food security, and advocacy.
About KickStart International
KickStart International is a nonprofit social enterprise working across Sub‑Saharan Africa to lift millions out of poverty by designing and distributing affordable, high‑impact irrigation technologies. Their tools enable smallholder farmers to irrigate year-round, increase profitability, and break dependence on seasonal rains. To date, KickStart has distributed more than 400,000 irrigation pumps through a network of over 270 agro‑dealers and partners.
KickStart designs and mass markets climate-smart irrigation technology to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, in order to enable a transition from subsistence agriculture to commercial irrigated agriculture. Donor funds are used to design the irrigation pumps, establish supply chains, demonstrate and promote the pumps, and educate farmers on the benefits and methods of small-scale irrigation.
Media Contact
GCSAYN Global Secretariat
P.O. Box 8860, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Email: info@csaynglobal.org
KickStart International (Global)
1849 Geary Blvd #15908, San Francisco, CA 94115
Email: info@kickstart.org