Agricultural land is not just soil; it’s a heritage handed down through generations, a safety net for older adults. But this tight grip on land poses hurdles for the younger generation, limiting their access to resources crucial for becoming agricultural producers themselves.
“Because youth are the next generation of producers…it is really important to understand how they can benefit from and contribute to agrifood systems,”
emphasized Lauren Phillips, deputy director at FAO.
Youth, aged 15-24 and constituting over 1.3 billion globally, hold immense potential as “key agents of change
” in the agrifood sector. Despite employing 44% of working youth, challenges persist as over 20% remain unemployed or underutilized.
“Young people can drive economic transformation and global prosperity,” noted QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO. Unlocking their full potential could generate significant GDP growth globally.
However, these young individuals face daunting obstacles such as declining agricultural productivity due to climate change impacts and vulnerability within the job market. Most youths work in precarious roles with low wages – a situation that may fuel migration to urban areas seeking better opportunities.
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Policies really need to make sure that they invest in preparing young people with skills…so that they can have decent jobs in agrifood systems,” stressed Ms. Phillips. Lack of social and financial capital hinders many youths from accessing loans, banking services, and land deeds necessary for agricultural pursuits.
The report highlights the importance of amplifying youth voices through collective action via informal networks or formal unions/cooperatives. Additionally, it calls for enhanced training programs and revamped financial systems to boost access for young individuals aspiring to enter the agrifood sector.
“FAO is unconditionally committed…to ensure their voices are heard…and contribution to sustainable agrifood systems fully harnessed,” confirmed FAO Director-General QU Dongyu regarding empowering youth within agriculture.
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