New global brief warns that failure to engage young people in farming threatens food security, economic growth, and climate resilience

Dar es Salaam — As the agricultural workforce ages across the developing world, a stark warning has emerged from global policy experts: without urgent action to engage youth in farming, the future of food security hangs in the balance.

A comprehensive issue brief released this month by the World Agriculture Forum paints a picture of both crisis and opportunity. While over 1.3 billion young people worldwide—85% of them in developing nations—represent an enormous potential workforce for agriculture, youth participation in the sector continues to decline even as the need for their involvement has never been greater.

“Engaging youth in agriculture is not optional; it is essential for the future of food systems, economic development, and sustainability,” the brief states, noting that youth unemployment has reached critical levels, with young people nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.

The Demographic Paradox

The paradox is particularly acute in regions like East Africa, where agriculture remains the backbone of rural economies yet struggles to attract the next generation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 44 percent of working youth globally depend on agrifood systems for their livelihoods, yet food insecurity among this demographic surged to 24.4% between 2021 and 2023.

The economic case for youth engagement is compelling. Recent estimates suggest that increasing youth participation in agrifood systems could unlock trillions of dollars in global economic value through improved productivity, entrepreneurship, and value chain development.

Yet structural barriers persist. Access to land remains one of the most significant challenges, with land ownership concentrated among older generations and weak tenure security preventing young people from making long-term investments. Financial exclusion compounds the problem—young people typically lack the collateral, credit history, and financial literacy required by formal institutions.

Skills Gap and Perception Problem

The brief identifies a critical mismatch between the skills young people possess and what modern agriculture demands. Many education systems continue to focus on traditional farming methods while the sector increasingly requires proficiency in technology, market integration, and entrepreneurship.

“Young people often lack the technical, business, and digital skills necessary for success,” the document notes, calling for comprehensive reforms to education systems alongside practical training, mentorship, and extension services.

Equally challenging is agriculture’s image problem. Many youth view the sector as physically demanding, economically uncertain, and low-status—perceptions reinforced by real challenges including low productivity, limited market access, and unstable incomes.

This perception gap is driving rural-to-urban migration, particularly where agricultural earnings are low, infrastructure is poor, and essential services remain scarce. The brief notes that lack of stable wages for youth working on family farms has become a primary driver of out-migration, representing a form of “hidden” youth unemployment.

Digital Agriculture: A Game Changer

Despite these challenges, the brief highlights significant opportunities emerging from technological transformation. Digital agriculture—including mobile platforms, precision farming, data-driven decision-making, and e-commerce—is creating new entry points that align with young people’s skills and interests.

“These innovations closely match the skills and interests of young people, making agriculture more accessible and efficient,” the document states, noting that digital technologies can greatly enhance productivity, market access, and financial inclusion.

Climate-smart agriculture presents another avenue for youth engagement. As climate change increasingly impacts agricultural systems, there is growing demand for sustainable and resilient practices—an area where young people can lead through adoption of conservation agriculture, agroecology, and efficient resource management.

Entrepreneurship is also emerging as a key pathway, with agriculture becoming a platform for startups and innovative business models in areas like agri-tech, input supply, consulting, and logistics.

Call for Systemic Change

The brief makes clear that attracting youth to agriculture requires fundamental transformation, not minor adjustments. Recommendations include:

• Strengthening value chains to improve profitability and income stability
• Innovative land access models such as leasing arrangements, cooperative ownership, and land banks
• Tailored financial products including low-collateral loans, credit guarantees, and insurance schemes
• Education reform to align training with modern agrifood system demands
• Technology ecosystems supporting agri-tech startups, incubators, and digital service providers
• Narrative change to reposition agriculture as modern, dynamic, and impactful

Policy coherence emerges as essential. The brief calls on governments and development partners to integrate youth considerations into agricultural policies, strategies, and investment plans while ensuring young people’s voices are included in decision-making processes.

From Crisis to Opportunity

The World Agriculture Forum’s analysis arrives at a critical juncture. With climate change accelerating, population growth continuing, and urbanization reshaping economies, the need for agricultural innovation and productivity has never been greater.

“The challenge goes beyond simply bringing more young people into agriculture,” the brief concludes. “It requires a fundamental transformation of the sector itself. Agriculture must evolve into a space that offers meaningful livelihoods, embraces technology and innovation, and responds to the social and economic expectations of youth.”

The alternative—continuing current trends—risks not only rising youth unemployment but also declining agricultural productivity, weakened food security, and missed opportunities to build climate-resilient food systems.

For regions like East Africa, where youth populations are growing and agriculture remains central to economic development, the stakes could not be higher. The question is no longer whether youth engagement in agriculture is important, but whether policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors will act with the urgency the moment demands.

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The issue brief “Engaging Youth in the Future of Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities” was prepared by the World Agriculture Forum’s Policy and Research Unit and supports ongoing policy dialogue on youth engagement in agricultural transformation.