Empowering the Future: Role of Youth in Transforming Agriculture

Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently published a report titled “The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems”. The report underscores the pivotal role of youth in transforming agrifood systems and highlights the current participation status, challenges faced, and future potential of youth engagement in agriculture globally.

Who are Youth and What are Agrifood Systems?

• Youth: As per FAO, youth are individuals aged between 15 to 24 years.

• Agrifood Systems: These systems include all stages of the food chain — production, processing, distribution, and consumption — along with associated economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Current Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems

• Globally, there are around 1.3 billion youth (15–24 years), with 85% residing in low and lower-middle-income countries, where agrifood systems are key livelihood options.

• Food insecurity among youth has increased from 16.7% (2014–16) to 24.4% (2021–23), with the highest impact seen in Africa.

• Over 20% of global youth are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET); young women are twice as likely to be NEET compared to men.

• The share of youth working in agrifood systems declined from 54% in 2005 to 44% in 2021.

• In industrial agrifood systems, rural youth account for just 5% of the population — raising concerns of future labour shortages.

• Currently, 44% of working youth are engaged in agrifood systems, compared to 38% of working adults.

Challenges in Youth Participation

• Landlessness: Lack of land ownership or small fragmented holdings discourage youth from farming.

• Social Stigma: Agriculture is often viewed as a low-status occupation.

• Migration: Youth prefer urban migration for better career prospects and income opportunities.

• Urban Demographics: 54% of global youth live in urban areas, especially in East Asia, limiting rural agricultural workforce.

• Access Barriers:

  • Inadequate access to resources, finance, extension services, technology, and innovation.

• Lack of Human Capital:

  • Gaps in education, career guidance, employable skills, and mentorship.

• Financial Constraints:

  • Difficulty accessing credit and high input costs hinder agricultural entrepreneurship.

How to Encourage Youth Participation in Agrifood Systems

• Awareness of Modern Agriculture:

  • Promote experiential learning and exposure to agri-business models, modern crop practices, and value chains.

• Youth-Specific Schemes:

  • Provide training, land access, and credit support.

  • Example: ATMA Cafeteria under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) offers 200+ hours of skill training for rural youth.

• Agripreneurship Promotion:

  • Facilitate youth access to finance and markets; encourage them to become agripreneurs.

• ICT Integration and Market Development:

  • Use digital tools to provide real-time market and product information.

• Value Addition:

  • Encourage primary processing (e.g., cleaning, packaging) to improve income and employment.

• Policy Backing:

  • Institutions like NITI Aayog and Ministry of Agriculture should integrate youth priorities in agricultural policies.

  • Example: “Sun-rise agriculture enterprises” are proposed to attract and retain youth in farming.

Government Measures in India

• Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (2002):

  • Provides training and subsidies to agricultural graduates to start businesses.

• National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE):

  • Offers training for establishing agri-allied ventures.

• Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY):

  • Offers skill-based training in agriculture and allied sectors at district/state level.

• Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM):

  • Promotes farm mechanization, custom hiring centers, and machinery banks.

• RKVY-RAFTAAR:

  • Strengthens agri-infrastructure and promotes agripreneurship ecosystems.

• Certified Farm and Livestock Advisor Programmes:

  • Develops specialists in crops and livestock advisory services.

• Skill Development Programmes:

  • Offers employability training through short-term and long-term courses across rural and urban India.

• Project ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture):

  • Aims to engage rural youth in agricultural activities and rural entrepreneurship.

Benefits of Youth Inclusion in Agrifood Systems

• Innovation and Climate Resilience:

  • Youth bring creativity, are more willing to adopt new technologies, and adapt faster to climate challenges.

• Unlocking Economic Potential:

  • Many youth live in regions with high agricultural productivity, creating room for investment in infrastructure and markets.

• Addressing Labour Shortage:

  • Youth can fill the gap left by an ageing farming population.

• Tech Adaptability:

  • Youth are more proficient with digital tools, e.g., weather apps, e-commerce, and smart farming solutions.

• Social Networking and Mobilization:

  • Youth help in disseminating information and mobilizing collective community action.

Way Forward

• Data-Driven Policymaking:

  • Invest in research to design youth-centric policies in agriculture.

• Expand Digital Literacy and Access:

  • Ensure digital connectivity to connect youth with agriculture tech and markets.

• Career Flexibility:

  • Develop mechanisms for career re-entry to bring youth back into agrifood systems.

• Integrated Approach:

  • Align education, finance, infrastructure, and policy support to create sustainable engagement.