Details
I am Agriculture Youth in Agriculture
What do you want to be when you grow up? How often do we hear the response farmer? How often do we encourage others to become farmers, agri-technicians, agri-entreprenuears? Not too often do we?
Global population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050, with youth (aged 15–24) accounting for about 14 percent of this total. While the world’s youth cohort is expected to grow, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth – particularly those living in developing countries’ economically stagnant rural areas is expected to remain limited, poorly remunerated and of poor quality
United Nation 2011 REGIONAL OVERVIEW: LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN reported that there were 106 million young people between 15 and 24 years of age living in Latin America and the Caribbean , 20% of the total population. It is the largest proportion of young people ever in the region’s history. • While employment indices for young people have improved over the last decade, the unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group is three times as high as it is for the population between 30-64 years of age.
The average age of farmers in the region is estimated to average between 50 years to 60 years with young farmer replacement being limited. While so in today’s date the youth constitute a large section of the persons who are affected by unemployment and food insecurity.
The agriculture sector however possesses significant development potential which can generate ample decent and gainful employment opportunities for the youth. However, like the agriculture sector the youth themselves also possesses untapped potential. Their capacities for creativity and economic innovation are squandered when they are blocked from actively participating in economic activities. As a result, facilitating youth participation in the agriculture sector would not only provide much needed employment opportunities for youth themselves, but will also help drive the innovation and growth needed to reduce poverty among youths and adults alike.
A coordinated response to increase youth’s access to the agricultural sector is more important now than ever, as a rising global population and decreasing agricultural productivity gains imply that young people must play a pivotal role in ensuring a food-secure future for themselves, and for future generations.
Youth need to be seen as a collective group of people who have the potential to change the world. Despite their age, gender, and geographic location, the youths’ unique way of approaching life with fresh perspectives and with zeal need to be encourage and included. They can no longer be left out of the equation for development and change. We can no longer leave young people sitting at the fringe of society looking on as others define their potential.
In order to effect a true change to youth engagement in agriculture a rethinking, a paradigm shift in how we view youth is required. Youth must now be seen as viable individuals who can meaningfully contribute to the fabric of society. We must acknowledge that they have the ability to think, develop and act in a way that can cause serious change. They must not be treated as outcasts of the society, but rather as individuals who, when given the opportunity along with the correct tools and resources, and with sincere, meaningful support and guidance, can make a difference. They can, if their potential is properly directed, add tremendous value to agriculture not only digitizing traditional agriculture but also in a plethora of new high demand and highly paid agriculture professions in areas such as smart agriculture, online platforms, extension and marketing applications, GIS and drone technology, and agriculture data analytics just to name a few.
Challenges faced by young women and men trying to engage in agriculture and earn a living in rural areas are many. The solutions will not come easily. There are no silver bullets. But we most first start the conversion of policy to action, it will require young people to be given the resources to become fully empowered for productivity; when there is a supportive environment – youth can find innovative ways to create a future for themselves, and also contribute to the societies and communities in which they live.
Youths involvement in policy dialogue is key. Too often young people’s voices are not heard during the policy process, and so their complex and multifaceted needs are not met. Policies often fail to account for the heterogeneity of youth, and so do not provide them with effective support. To remedy this, youth need the requisite skills and capacities for collective action to ensure that their voices are heard.
CARICOM is committed to putting action to policy. It is the regions mission to change the landscape of Agriculture and food systems through Climate action, technology, de-risking, financing, investment and youth engagement. Our actions are deliberate, targeted and focused. This I am Agriculture, Youth in Agriculture Initiative is on such deliberate move. This launch commences the commitment fromm the region to support youth participation in food systems from farm to table.
The recommendations from the Youth Advisory Committee, which is currently being formed with youth representatives from across the region, is hoped to assist in giving policy direction in how to empower youth and thus enable them to utilize modern technology in a business-like manner to achieve economic independence. While at the same time, supporting them in becoming vested citizens in society helping to address societal issues such as criminal activity, poverty and economic destabilization.
We place the highest priority on agriculture, unlocking its potential and the development of the Region’s food systems. The role of youth in agriculture is, in fact, that of immense possibility — to grow more food, transform local food systems and build economies that lift entire communities out of poverty. The time to invest in youth and capitalize on their potential to serve as agents of transformation in the region is now.
[post_grid_pickplugins id=’1087′]
Women in Agriculture
It is surprising that after all these years of agriculture development work, rural women, in particular those who are not head of households or own their own land for production, are often overlooked during the development and implementation of policy and programs. Rural youth voices are rarely heard, and their participation remains either symbolic or passive.
Worldwide women currently account for 42% of total agricultural labor force. Despite their tremendous involvement in agriculture, rural women encounter many challenges which make it difficult for them to seize opportunities for improving their lives and contributing to the rural economy. They for example have limited participation in policy and strategic dialogues, limited voice and influence in rural organizations, unequal access to productive resources such as land, limited access to services such education, extension, credit and social protection, widespread inequalities in rural labour markets. Moreover, they struggle with the with heavy burden of unpaid care work in households and communities. This “gender gap” without a doubt negatively impacts rural households’ food and nutrition security, ultimately influencing the underperformance of agriculture sector.
To add, rural youth, whether woman or man, have limited access to productive and gainful employment in the agricultural sector, limited access to skills development and education, are usually excluded from institutions that provide access to financial services, such as credit, savings and insurance.
With the COVID-19 crisis exacerbating existing vulnerabilities of rural young women and inequalities, it is crucial to design inclusive and sound gender-responsive policies and legislation that support investments in employment creation, formalization, and adoption of labor standards in rural areas, providing equal opportunities for young rural women. It is also important to ensure youth have access to quality jobs with decent working conditions, including a living wage, health and safety at work, on-the-job training, and access to social protection.
The reality is that a true transformation of rural economies and food systems will not be possible without young women and men.
How to engage young rural women farmers?
The recommendations for engagement and true transformation include
- Enhancing women’s participation in value chains and agribusiness by creating participative spaces with representation of rural women and young people, that effectively promote the exchange and active participation of social subjects in public and private spaces.
- Building Awareness raising and advocacy by sending clear messages and ensuring they are included in multi-stakeholder mechanisms so that the voice of the young rural women is heard and attracts the attention of all key actors across the agricultural value chain.
- Direct capacity development interventions with different value chains actors, from producers to producer organization
- Development of rural youth champions who will work as role models in rural communities to inspire other young people into agri-business, by showing the benefits of productively engaging in the agriculture sector.
- Improve data and analysis on the work and living conditions of young rural women to better track women’s status in agriculture and living welfare.
- Development of knowledge and technologies to reduce generational and gender inequalities— Efforts should also be channeled to transform face-to-face and group based agricultural methodologies into effective on-line learning programmes in order to continue to effectively build the capacities of young farmers. Lessons and trainings can be delivered via television, mobile phones, rural radios, etc., possibly also using, where needed, indigenous peoples’ various languages and other different languages spoken in rural areas, in addition to the official governments’ ones. Technology to secure markets.
- Increase access to income, credit and funding- Special lines of credit should be made available in support for production run by women and young people in a situation of poverty, without financial guarantees, and in the stage prior to obtaining a bank loan. Such policies must also offer free technical assistance and be oriented towards structuring sustainable productive systems.
At the last Heads of Government meeting in CARICOM leaders acknowledged the urgency to place Youth and women as high priority on the regional agenda. WE are serious to leaving no one behind so much so that On Friday we launch the I am Agriculture Youth in Agriculture Campaign. This campaign commences the series of rounds developed to encourage young farmer participation in Agriculture and to showcase the various opportunities available in the agri food system. Simultaneously, to ensure engagement of youth at the highest level of decision making, CARICOM heads directed the development of a CARICOM Youth Advisory Council. This council, currently being organized, will include youth from each member state, who together will be contributing to development of youth policy to be presented to the Heads of Government. CARICOM is committed to leaving “NO ONE BEHIND” and truly transforming the sector to one that is inclusive.
We recognize that the full development of women’s and young people’s capacities in the food systems requires, coordinated, integrated and comprehensive actions, on different geographic scales—local, national, regional and global. Together I believe we can achieve our goals. Let us continue joining efforts to leaving no one behind !
Women in Agriculture
It is surprising that after all these years of agriculture development work, rural women, in particular those who are not head of households or own their own land for production, are often overlooked during the development and implementation of policy and programs. Rural youth voices are rarely heard, and their participation remains either symbolic or passive.
Worldwide women currently account for 42% of total agricultural labor force. Despite their tremendous involvement in agriculture, rural women encounter many challenges which make it difficult for them to seize opportunities for improving their lives and contributing to the rural economy. They for example have limited participation in policy and strategic dialogues, limited voice and influence in rural organizations, unequal access to productive resources such as land, limited access to services such education, extension, credit and social protection, widespread inequalities in rural labour markets. Moreover, they struggle with the with heavy burden of unpaid care work in households and communities. This “gender gap” without a doubt negatively impacts rural households’ food and nutrition security, ultimately influencing the underperformance of agriculture sector.
To add, rural youth, whether woman or man, have limited access to productive and gainful employment in the agricultural sector, limited access to skills development and education, are usually excluded from institutions that provide access to financial services, such as credit, savings and insurance.
With the COVID-19 crisis exacerbating existing vulnerabilities of rural young women and inequalities, it is crucial to design inclusive and sound gender-responsive policies and legislation that support investments in employment creation, formalization, and adoption of labor standards in rural areas, providing equal opportunities for young rural women. It is also important to ensure youth have access to quality jobs with decent working conditions, including a living wage, health and safety at work, on-the-job training, and access to social protection.
The reality is that a true transformation of rural economies and food systems will not be possible without young women and men.
How to engage young rural women farmers?
The recommendations for engagement and true transformation include
- Enhancing women’s participation in value chains and agribusiness by creating participative spaces with representation of rural women and young people, that effectively promote the exchange and active participation of social subjects in public and private spaces.
- Building Awareness raising and advocacy by sending clear messages and ensuring they are included in multi-stakeholder mechanisms so that the voice of the young rural women is heard and attracts the attention of all key actors across the agricultural value chain.
- Direct capacity development interventions with different value chains actors, from producers to producer organization
- Development of rural youth champions who will work as role models in rural communities to inspire other young people into agri-business, by showing the benefits of productively engaging in the agriculture sector.
- Improve data and analysis on the work and living conditions of young rural women to better track women’s status in agriculture and living welfare.
- Development of knowledge and technologies to reduce generational and gender inequalities— Efforts should also be channeled to transform face-to-face and group based agricultural methodologies into effective on-line learning programmes in order to continue to effectively build the capacities of young farmers. Lessons and trainings can be delivered via television, mobile phones, rural radios, etc., possibly also using, where needed, indigenous peoples’ various languages and other different languages spoken in rural areas, in addition to the official governments’ ones. Technology to secure markets.
- Increase access to income, credit and funding- Special lines of credit should be made available in support for production run by women and young people in a situation of poverty, without financial guarantees, and in the stage prior to obtaining a bank loan. Such policies must also offer free technical assistance and be oriented towards structuring sustainable productive systems.
At the last Heads of Government meeting in CARICOM leaders acknowledged the urgency to place Youth and women as high priority on the regional agenda. WE are serious to leaving no one behind so much so that On Friday we launch the I am Agriculture Youth in Agriculture Campaign. This campaign commences the series of rounds developed to encourage young farmer participation in Agriculture and to showcase the various opportunities available in the agri food system. Simultaneously, to ensure engagement of youth at the highest level of decision making, CARICOM heads directed the development of a CARICOM Youth Advisory Council. This council, currently being organized, will include youth from each member state, who together will be contributing to development of youth policy to be presented to the Heads of Government. CARICOM is committed to leaving “NO ONE BEHIND” and truly transforming the sector to one that is inclusive.
We recognize that the full development of women’s and young people’s capacities in the food systems requires, coordinated, integrated and comprehensive actions, on different geographic scales—local, national, regional and global. Together I believe we can achieve our goals. Let us continue joining efforts to leaving no one behind !
