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Cultivating a revolution in

agriculture for young people

Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank

T

here’s a revolution taking place among youth in rural

– and even urban – areas around the world. For

the first time, many young people are excited about

being involved in agriculture and the food system. Instead of

abandoning farms and generations of farming, many are not

only picking up hoes, but also learning the skills to become

agronomists, extension agents, food scientists, academics,

food business leaders, chefs and cooks, and food entrepre-

neurs. They see the food system as an opportunity, not a

burden. And they’re looking to solve some of the world’s

most pressing social problems – unemployment, conflict,

climate change – through food and farming.

There’s no question that agriculture is at a turning point. Nearly

1 billion people go to bed hungry each night while another

approximately 1.5 billion are overweight or obese; an astound-

ing 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year; some 2 billion

people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies; non-commu-

nicable diseases, many related to diet, including heart disease

and diabetes, afflict millions of people worldwide; and climate

change is expected to have the worst impacts – including

drought, increased temperatures and flooding – in the world’s

poorest nations which are least able to handle these problems.

Farmers are also ageing all over the world. Globally, the

average age of farmers is around 55 years; in Europe, one-

third of farmers are under 35; in South Africa, the average

of farmers is 62 years; and in the United States 50 per cent

of farmers are 55 years or older. Youth continue to migrate

to cities in massive numbers, leaving agriculture and their

communities behind.

Engaging youth today and future generations in farming

and the food system is more important than ever before for

environmental sustainability, food security, social stability

and economic viability. It’s time to cultivate the next genera-

tion of food system leaders – the professional producers,

thinkers and doers who can create a more sustainable food

system that nourishes people and planet.

In rich and poor countries alike, youth confront barriers to

jobs and careers in agriculture. According to the International

Labour Organization of the United Nations, there are at least

In rich and poor countries alike, youth confront barriers to jobs and careers in agriculture

Image: Bernard Pollack

D

eep

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oots