As Canada faces issues in rural development and the agricultural workforce, the same problems are being faced around the world in countries like Tanzania.

Beny Mwenda, a rural development coordinator for the Tanzanian Society for Agricultural Education and Extension, says in their communities, a lot of young people want to look for jobs in the city, rather than in their rural communities.

Mwenda says that's why for 15 years, they've had an agricultural training program to encourage women and youth to get involved in farming.

"Within the agricultural training project, many things (are taught) — environment; HIV and AIDS; productivity, like the basics you need to have in order for good production of any crop; record keeping and financial management — these are things that are taught so at the end of the day, the young person is competent," Mwenda says.

Typical cash crops in Tanzania include cashews, cotton, and coffee, while food crops include maize, sorghum, and wheat. Whether the young people are producing food for their family or to sell at the local market, Mwenda says they focus on helping young people achieve what they want.

"The reason why youth have been interested in agriculture is because we used an approach known as 'tangible goals approach,'" he says. "It's an approach that begins by asking a young person what exactly he or she would like to have during the lifetime of the project. So they mention things like, they'd like to have a bicycle or a good house, or whatever they want, provided it's tangible. And then the second question is, what are you going to do to get your goal within your community?"

Mwenda says from there, his organization teaches young people how to be successful in agriculture and make good income.

Right now, due to limited funding, this project is only working in seven Tanzanian communities, although Mwenda hopes they will expand.

"With those who have been with us for the 15 years, today they are the leaders in communities in terms of economy and socializing because they have done what we have trained them, and they've acquired many tangible goals they've set themselves," he says. "In the next 15 years, I think we're going to have a big number of youth involved."

In order to make a program like this feasible in Canada — where a lack of young people in agriculture is also an issue — Mwenda says the government needs to provide incentives.

"Young people (in Manitoba) have told me everything (in farming) is expensive," he says, "they say you end up in debt. So the government should look into the areas which tie down the farmers... I'm not very familiar with Canadian policies, but generally I would think an encouragement is needed."