Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) is a youth structure which was established nationally following on a national conference and subsequently endorsed by the government to function as of 30 November 2007. The institution is expected among others to:
- Promote and improve the active participation of youth in the agricultural sector
- Understand and respond to the youth’s needs by implementing appropriate programmes, policies and services
- Promote and develop the skills of youth as leaders at all levels in agriculture and rural development
- Promote economic equality for the youth through Agricultural Black Economic Empowerment (AgriBEE) and other programmes and Advocate for the youth’s equal participation and representation in decision making in the agriculture and rural development sector.