1. INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

• 1st prize (Euros 1,500): Nawsheen Hosenally http://nawsheenh.blogspot.com/

Nawsheen (23 years old) has newly graduated in agriculture. With her  blog “Nawsheen World”, she aims to put forward the main issues and key news related to agriculture in Mauritius and other developing countries. She also writes about activities she is engaged in.

• 2nd prize (Euros 1,000): Sourou H. A. NANKPAN http://www.agrobenin.com/

Graduated in Biotechnology, Sourou (27) is passionate about agriculture and food production. His blog, “Agro Benin”, is focused on presenting and discussing the impacts of rural migration on agriculture, consequences of climate warming, government projects, challenges facing food security and other issues in Benin.

• 3rd prize (Euros 800): Anthony Mwangi http://youngagropreneur.wordpress.com/

In his blog, “The Young Agropreneur”, Anthony (21) shares his experience as a young agricultural entrepreneur. He describes his blog as “a resource for information on matters concerning agriculture in Kenya and the Eastern African region”; it is also “a wake-up call for the youth to venture into agriculture”. 

Other runners-up: 
Among blogs that also deserve merits, the jury have mentioned the following:

• Anne Matho Motsou, (28) journalist from Cameroon http://annematho.wordpress.com/
• Hudson Wereh (28) from Kenya, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences http://wwwinfonet-biovision-wereh.blogspot.com/
• Grace Wanene (23) from Kenya, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences http://yagrein.blogspot.com/.
  
  

2. INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORY

Winners in the institutional category have been selected per ACP region. Based on submissions received, institutional blogs were eligible for three regions (East Africa, Caribbean, West Africa).

The winners are :

• CARIBBEAN: Agribusiness Society of the University of West Indies (UWI) http://technology4agri.wordpress.com/ - Cash Prize :  Euros 3,000

This blog is an extension of the Agribusiness Society (ABS) and is animated by young students. The content focuses on technologies which can positively impact agri-development at all levels. Technologies range from simple devices to high tech and scientific innovations, including ICTs, renewable energy production, water management etc.

• EAST AFRICA:  Farming and Technology for Africa (http://www.jeuneagrimadagascar.org/) Cash Prize :  Euros 3,000

Farming and Technology for Africa (FTA) is a registered association from Madagascar. The creation of this blog followed from a meeting between FTA and students of Forestry and Rural Development at the University of Antananarivo. The blog is an information and discussion platform for youth in the agricultural sector in Madagascar.

• WEST AFRICA: Syecomp Business Services (http://agricinghana.wordpress.com/) - Cash Prize : Euros 3,000

This blog seeks to highlight issues on agricultural development in Ghana and in the sub-region: policies, market access linkages, youth in agriculture,  ICT applications and funding opportunities. Activities of Syecomp Business Services are also promoted on this blog.

Runners-up

Among blogs that also deserve merits, the jury have mentioned the following:

• Fanilon’i Madagasikara http://sahafanilo.blog4ever.com/

FANILON'I MADAGASIKARA (FIM) is a Women Scouting movement, created in 1942. Its main agricultural activities include beekeeping, fish farming and rice production.

• Shirki Organization http://shirikiorganization.blogspot.com/

Shiriki Organization is an NGO operating in Kenya, notably in agriculture and seeks to strengthen youth’s interest in that sector.

• Conseil Régional des Riziculteurs du Mono et du Couffo (CRR-MC) http://crrmc.ilemi.net/

The Conseil Régional des Riziculteurs du Mono et du Couffo (CRR-MC) is a professional agricultural network of rice farmers’ institutions in Benin.

• Harambe Nigeria http://www.harambefarmland.com/

Harambe Nigeria is a non-profit organization dedicated to revolutionizing the way Nigerian youth engage with the agricultural sector.

3. PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY ACTIVITIES

The prize giving ceremony will be held during the 3rd IAALD Africa Chapter conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, 21 to 23 May 2012. IAALD is the International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists. Winners and some of the best entrants will be invited to attend the conference and ARDYIS activities during the event; they will have the opportunity to exchange ideas about the challenges facing youth in agriculture and rural development. They will also be offered CTA publications.

4. JURY

The jury was composed of:

• Ms. Dorothy K. Gordon (Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, Ghana);
• Dr. Assogbadjo Achille Ephrem (Researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin);
• Peter Ballantyne (Head of Knowledge Management and Information Services at the International Livestock Research Institute).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The YoBloCo Awards have been an exciting experience for organizers and bloggers. Many bloggers are reporting increasing number of visitors, comments on their blogs, interest and collaboration opportunities.

CTA and its partners warmly congratulate winners. They thank all the participants and the people (about 3,000) who voted and commented on blogs for making this pioneering experience a success!

The Youth in Agriculture Blog Competition (YoBloCo Awards) aims to bring into the limelight issues, successes and challenges faced by youth engaged in agriculture, and to encourage the production of information and the use of new ICTs by young farmers’ groups and organizations interested in the “youth in agriculture” question. The competition was launched in July 2011 and 92 blogs were received. For the individual category, winners were selected from 15 finalists identified following an online voting process. The public also commented on institutional blogs.

Please also check the following websites:

• YoBloCo’s blog: http://ardyis.cta.int/yobloco/
• ARDYIS Facebook Page   http://www.facebook.com/ardyis
• YoBloCo Awards Annoucement document and rules

Contact : Email: ardyis-project@cta.int.