#IWASTHERE
Muzamil is taking technology to the field
Farmers in Pakistan are finding that Muzamil’s modern ways can enhance their old farming practices and bring impressive returns.
For as long as he could remember, Muzamil Ali, 24, says that he was fond of gadgets. “I grew up in awe of my grandfather working in his lab, building transformers; it made me determined to become an inventor one day.” And now he’s doing just that.
Self motivator
To achieve his dreams, Muzamil taught himself software development, and picked up work wherever he could to save money. “I taught Science in a primary school when I was 17; later, I worked as a freelance software developer, helping companies run more efficient systems,” he says. Then a huge opportunity came up.
A start-up opportunity
In 2017, Muzamil was studying for a degree in Computer Science in Layyah, when he heard about The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) inaugurating the Youth Innovation Hub, under Oxfam’s Empower Youth for Work (EYW) project. TiE organised a start-up competition for business ideas with great potential. Muzamil applied immediately. His idea was to automate farming in Pakistan by raising awareness among farmers about innovative techniques and common mistakes in farming practices, while also fund-raising for them. He also hoped to provide technical support – installing sensors and effective drainage and irrigation systems – to improve productivity.
Hot competition
When Muzamil’s idea was accepted for further development as part of the competition, he was overjoyed. “Everyone has great ideas regardless of their background,” he says. “But few get the opportunity to showcase them and make so many useful connections in the process.” From the beginning, regardless of the tough competition, Muzamil felt confident that the idea he had spent years of research and effort on would make an impact. “I was fully aware of all the practical implications of executing my plan which is what made me stand out from the crowd,” he emphasises. Eventually, after jumping through all the competition hoops, Muzamil and his team (including Nazra, Product Designer, and Ammara, Sales Head) were triumphant; his start-up idea, National Agriculture Aqueous Solution, had won!
Out with the old
From experimenting with gadgets as a child to winning a start-up competition, and gearing up for his first established socially-driven business, Muzamil feels ecstatic about the future of farming in Pakistan. He says that farmers in Layyah often do not have access to the help and advice they need, for instance, watering seeds in winters is not damaging for their crops as is commonly believed. “The biggest challenge wasn’t informing them about modern farming techniques but persuading them to abandon outdated methods,” he says.
Well connected
Today, Muzamil considers the biggest takeaway from the experience to be the network of experts and mentors he can draw on. “I can’t sell my idea without gaining the public’s trust; now with TiE’s label attached to my name, I am confident that my products will be far more easily accepted,” he says. While Muzamil has had to face many challenges in implementing new techniques on farms, including unexpected technical failures of his equipment and reluctance on the part of farmers to entrust him with their finances, he has spent the past year building his reputation in Layyah. “I recently convinced a prominent, well-to-do farmer to use a mobile app for smart farming in his fields and he was thrilled to see the results; almost immediately, word about my services spread, and more farmers were willing to learn about the app”, he says happily.
The future’s in farming
As Muzamil starts to establish National Agriculture Aqueous Solution’s first outlet to build credibility among local farmers, his thoughts are on the future: “I hope that one day all farmers in Layyah see the benefits of using automated farming in fields, and use my techniques to improve their productivity and work standards.”
Muzamil‘s story is part of the multiyear campaign, kicked off on International Youth Day 2019 by the Empower Youth for Work program and the Work in Progress! alliance. The campaign aims to support the national influencing work of the respective programs by joining forces with local role models. The ripples of #Iwasthere are spreading out around the world and these stories are proof that change can happen anywhere – we hope they will inspire you, too, to become an active citizen.
Why these stories?
There are more young people today than ever before in the history of the world; 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10 and 24 worldwide, and 90% of them live in low-income countries. . Harnessing the energy and strength of young women and men to become active citizens is core to Oxfam's goal of transformational change.
With their energy, skills and creativity, young people have the potential to be the driving force for social change, strong economies and vibrant democracies.
Oxfam is working jointly with youth to challenge barriers that prevent them from
Enjoying their rights
Participating fully in society
Being an effective voice in decision-making processes
How youthful dreams become reality.
These stories are proof that change can happen anywhere -
to inspire you to become an active citizen.
- Bangladesh
- Ethiopia
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Somalia
- The Netherlands
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Dilah
“Development is more than just economy or infrastructure, it’s all about humans.”
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Pakeeza
“As activists, we have to be patient. Without patience we can’t do anything, we just struggle.”
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Jesse van Schaik
“I hope other people think ‘if she can do it, then I can do it, and then it won’t be that hard.’”
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Chioma Ukonu
“Youths must work every day to be the change they want to see.”
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Duressa
“The only thing that I cannot do, is child bearing and breast feeding. This is not naturally gifted to men!”
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Daphne Rozenburg
“My goal was to capture the essence of the vital advocacy work that goes on within powerful institutions. But in a light and approachable way.”
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Milagros
“We are young, we are prepared. We have many things to do.”
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Muzamil Ali
“The biggest challenge wasn’t informing them about modern farming techniques but persuading them to abandon outdated methods”
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Nasrin
“Work is never defined for men and women, it is us who creates this differentiation. There are lots of people in rural areas who are not getting enough medical support, I want to do something more for their advancement by engaging the youth of our community.”
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Shadia
“Fear is not part of my life. I conquer the fear itself.”
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Opeyemi Agbaje
“I did not have any computer knowledge prior to this time; I only used computers for watching movies!”
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Hibaaq Larry
“We should create an environment where people can support one another and raise local funds together to buy clothes and food for poor children and mothers.”
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Mr. Ajebo
“Work ethics and character are equally important as you cannot earn a living out of talent alone.”
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Alami
“I believe young women have the capacity to change their lives if they are provided with a safe environment and support from their family, community, and government.”
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Alisha Khan
“Once we overcame our initial hurdles, we felt confident about managing more events, and soon established a good reputation in the city.”
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Yetunde Odusoga
“Even if a person supports you and teaches you how to do a thing, without passion on your part, it’s a ‘NO’!”
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Abdinasir
“Without a book on my lap every day, I don’t know where I would have reached today. One day I will realize my dream of bringing all Sahil people into the library.”
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Habiba
Habiba believes that other women and girls will be inspired by seeing her at work.
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Milkesso
“Seeing my success, many people are now convinced it’s OK to assist women.”
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Salman Shahid
“We aim, one day, to scale up our start-up to a national level”
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Maynul
He started working from home to save money, providing computer support to the community, especially women.
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Mehvish Arifeen
“The beauty parlour industry is exploitative, and because women workers lack awareness about their rights, they pose little to no resistance to unfair work policies.”
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Hamze
“Poetry is art and expression, and has been in my blood since my childhood. If you want people to develop their country, young people are the starting point – they have the drive and stamina to pioneer changes”
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Sumi
To ensure the continued success of her business, she keeps up with the latest fashion trends online, adjusting them for the cultural and religious tastes of her clients.