Youth and agroecology
The World is perpetually grappling to ensure wellbeing of ever growing population, improved quality of living, sustainable use of resources, and a healthy environment. To succeed, it is increasingly being realized that engaging youth is the most critical factor – for growth, equitable development, and harmoniously vibrant societies.
Asia alone is home to 60 percent of the world’s youth, while a further 18 percent live in Africa. Rather than dissipate over time, the pressures on policymakers to find employment opportunities for these young people will only grow if left unaddressed. Failure to generate opportunity for the world’s youth cohort – particularly those living in developing countries’ economically stagnant rural areas – will undermine both current and future poverty reduction efforts. According to UNDESA (2011), the global population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and the number of young people (aged 15 to 24 years) is also expected to increase to 1.3 billion by 2050, accounting for almost 14% of the projected global population.
The global studies indicate that in many countries, the agriculture sector possesses significant development potential which, if seized, could generate ample decent and gainful employment opportunities for rural youth. As a result, facilitating and incentivizing youth participation in the agriculture sector would not only provide much needed employment opportunities for youth themselves, but may also help drive the innovation and growth needed to reduce rural poverty among youths and adults alike. Unfortunately, many young people do not perceive agriculture as a viable or attractive means of earning a living.
Majority of the population in India is still in rural areas and dependent on agriculture to support livelihoods. Their migration rate to cities is alarming. Cities sustainability and carrying capacity is being threatened.
While the agriculture sector ensures food and nutritional security to the growing population of the nation, the farmers, especially the youth seem to be disillusioned to remain in farming. Agriculture production is highly unremunerative owing to current agricultural practices which are resource intensive, costly and risky. Fragmentation of land holdings, collapse of extension machinery, erosion of native wisdom, lack of enterpreneurial abilities are the additional challenges which is making the sector unattractive for youth. The challenge is to retain youth in rural areas while creating gainful, dignified and remunerative opportunities.
The global FAO-IFAD study case studies, though context specific, highlight the need for access to information and training opportunities and reveal that young women do face many more challenges and have fewer opportunities. The strategies for way forward include use of modern ICTs for quick and timely linkages and services; special youth based programmes and diverse stakeholder engagement.
The aspirations of the rural youth also need to be understood. The findings and insights of the studies could help plan appropriate strategies in retaining rural youth in agriculture. A study was conducted in Maharashtra to understand the rural youth aspirations and the factors that can help retain them in agriculture. Education, income levels, access to knowledge and skills, training opportunities and economic motivation were found as some of the critical factors being responsible. (A.S. Gomase and V. S. Tekale, p.26).
Agroecology and Initiatives for youth
Agroecological approaches are a definite way forward of enthusing youth to get interested in agriculture. Agroecological approaches are not new. They are being pursued for over three decades by organisations like AME Foundation and several hundreds of civil society organisations under different names like LEISA, Sustainable agriculture, zero-based natural farming etc. Fundamentally, agroecology promotes holistic, context suitable farmer centric approaches. Empowering young individuals to embrace agroecological practices not only ensures sustainable food production but also fosters rural livelihoods, environmental conservation, and socio-economic development. By adopting agroecological practices, youth can build resilient farming systems that withstand environmental shocks and economic uncertainties. Overall, agroecology emerges as a sustainable solution that not only empowers youth but also contributes to food security, environmental conservation and rural development.
Recognising the importance of youth participation in agriculture, the government is implementing various strategies to promote their involvement in agroecology. Besides providing policy support, several initiatives are being implemented which demonstrate the potential for youth empowerment in this field, for example, Skill development programmes; Youth entrepreneurship programmes; Promotion of Agroecology; Youth engagement platforms etc. (Vikash Yadav and Bankey Bihari, p.10)
Similarly, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) implemented the ARYA project to fully utilize the potential of rural youth and reverse migration from urban areas to rural areas. Availing the existing ecosystem and its contextual needs, illustrates with case examples how to sustain youth involvement and interest through need based training and technological backstopping. (p.21).
There are indeed interesting examples emerging from the civil societies too, attracting youth into agriculture. BAIF’s pilot initiatives to boost the population of pollinators insects, not only enhanced pollination and crop production, but has also empowered youth to become the future custodians of agroecology conservation (eg. Butterfly gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Bee Hotels). The initiative created recognition, pride for young leaders while benefitting the whole community. (Vinod Borse, p.6)
Young rural women too emerge successful, when supported with training and resources. The case of Bibi Fatima from Karnataka, proves that women’s business or enterprise has the potential to significantly alter society by giving them financial independence and empowerment. (Channal and Desai, p.15). They are successful in leading knowledge sharing too by handling smart projectors and creating farmer to farmer learning videos showing the benefits of agroecology, Natural farming and Nutri Gardens for the well being of all. (Access Agriculture, p.33)
References
FAO, 2014, Youth and agriculture: Key challenges and concrete solutions, Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
