A new report from the United Nations stresses the critical necessity of making agri-food systems more compelling for young people to ensure future global food security and nutrition. The report titled ‘Promoting youth engagement and employment in agriculture and food systems’ was prepared by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), an intergovernmental platform that encourages cooperation for universal food security and nutrition. The CFS is hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).
Youth Demographics Worldwide
In 2019, individuals aged between 15 to 24 years accounted for 16% of the world population. The bulk of this youth population is found in Asia, particularly in Central and Southern Asia with 361 million youth, followed by Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 307 million, and sub-Saharan Africa with 211 million youth. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 440 million African youth will enter the labour market from 2015 through 2030.
Findings of the Report
While food systems are the largest employers, particularly in developing countries, they often fail to offer rewarding work or adequate livelihood opportunities. Food systems comprise a complex network of activities including production, processing, handling, preparation, storage, distribution, marketing, access, purchase, consumption, food loss and waste, and the outputs of these activities, encompassing social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected global youth employment, causing it to fall by 8.7% in 2020 compared to a 3.7% drop for adults. However, agri-food systems present a vast, untapped potential for employment if they can be made more attractive and equitable for young individuals.
The Importance of Developing Countries
About 88% of the world’s 1.2 billion youth live in developing countries, especially in Africa, where over 70% of youth survive on $2 per day or less. Youth engagement in sustainable agri-food systems is both a goal to be achieved and a means for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals and promoting economic well-being.
Recommendations from the Report
The report encourages strategies, initiatives, and policies that strengthen youth engagement in food systems based on the principles of rights, equity, agency, and recognition. It recommends improving youth-focused social protection programs, labour laws, and regulations, along with access to resources like land, forests, fisheries, finance, markets, digital technologies, knowledge, and information. Supporting youth-led startups also calls for a supportive policy environment.
The Indian Scenario
In India, the youth population (18-29 years) constitutes 22% of the total population, which is more than 261 million people. Despite more than 60% of rural inhabitants deriving their livelihood from agriculture, only 5% of youth are involved in this sector. This indicates that modern youth are distancing themselves from agriculture as a profession.
Strategies to Involve Youth in Agriculture in India
Efforts to attract and retain youth in agriculture include the MAYA Roadmap, 2018, formulated at a conference on “Motivating and Attracting Youth in Agriculture” (MAYA) in New Delhi. The MAYA roadmap aims to provide youth with opportunities for economic growth, social respect, and the application of modern technologies in farming and allied activities.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has initiated the ARYA program (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) to engage and empower rural youth to take up various agriculture-related sectors.
The National Policy for Farmers, 2007, was introduced to introduce measures that can help attract and retain youths in farming and processing of farm products for higher value addition, thereby making it more appealing and financially rewarding.
