Youth

Food systems are considered the largest employer of young people in the Global South, and they critically depend on attracting young, entrepreneurial talent.

But youth do not necessarily consider farming an attractive or viable occupation, or they have priorities and expectations that are not taken into account by agricultural research-for-development programs.

Solving this challenge begins by understanding ‘youth’. Although often defined as people between the ages of 15 and 24, youth, much like gender, is relational and a social construct. Identities of young people are defined by their relationships, contexts and opportunities.  

Co-investigating challenges and co-designing solutions with young people is one path toward better opportunities for both rural youth and global food systems.