However, this creates challenges by limiting land access for the next generation and reducing their votes in the development of agricultural policies. Without land assets, young people find it difficult to guarantee the resources necessary to become agricultural producers themselves.
Between 2005 and 2021, the number of young employees in agricultural jobs decreased by 10%, which aroused concerns for food production worldwide.
This is the challenge, examined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao) is inaugural report Young people in agrifood systems are examining. Released Thursday, the report offers an overview of the status of young producers and the challenges they face.
“Because young people are the next generation of producers, consumers, food processors, service providers, it is really important to understand how they can benefit and contribute to agrifood systems,” said Lauren Phillips, assistant director of rural transformation and gender equality at FAO.
Key agents of change
With more than 1.3 billion people worldwide between 15 and 24, and 46% of them living in rural areas – young people can be “key change agents” for the food industry, which is responsible for the production, processing and transport of food that supports the world.
Agricultural systems currently employ 44% of young people who work, especially in medium and lower income countries, where 85% of young people in the world reside in this age group.
However, more than 20% of young people are not in formal employment, education or training, which means that their potential agrifood contribution and other economic sectors is underused.
The end of world unemployment for these young people could generate 1.5 billion of dollars for world GDP, of which $ 670 billion would come from the agrifood sector alone.
“Young people can stimulate economic transformation and global prosperity,” said that Dongyu, CEO of FAO.
Vulnerable jobs with low wages
Although young people are “key change agents” for the agrifuel sector and the global economy written largely according to the report, they are also faced with many challenges in the realization of this potential.
The next generation of agrifood producers will face a growing world population requiring more food and growing climatic shocks threatening food supplies.
FAO estimates that 395 million young people live in rural areas that should see the drop in agricultural productivity due to climate impacts.
Despite a large number used in Agrifood, most young people work in vulnerable jobs: 91% of young women and 83% of young men often occupy few advantages and are seasonal.
Give young people a reason to choose Agrifood
The low wages and dangerous conditions discourage continuous employment and lead to migration to urban centers.
“Policy must really ensure that they invest in the preparation of young people with skills and studies so that they can have decent jobs in agricultural systems,” said Ms. Phillips.
A major obstacle to young people who aspire to become producers is the lack of social and financial capital – political decision -makers often neglect the votes of young people, and young people have trouble accessing loans, banking services and land acts.
The involvement of young people in the development of policies can sometimes feel “token”. The report stresses that collective action – whether through informal networks or formal unions and cooperatives – can amplify the votes of young people.
He also calls for extended training and restructuring financial systems to improve access to young people.
“FAO is unconditional to intensify its work with and for young people to ensure that their voices are heard and that their participation and their contribution to sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems are fully exploited,” said FAO Director General.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
