Of the 1.2 billion young people aged 15-24 in the world, almost 1 billion live in developing countries, and half of these in rural areas. IFAD recognises the vast potential of this population, whose energy and dynamism are needed to transform rural areas, but also food systems. There are, however, many obstacles: young people are twice as likely as older people to be unemployed, not to mention the high level of working poverty among the youth.
IFAD’s Rural Development Report uses concrete evidence to identify who rural young people are, where exactly they live, and the constraints they face on their path to economic self-sufficiency. The authors explore this subject through different perspectives, including the position of countries on a scale of rural transformation and the economy as a whole. They highlight several risks, because creating opportunities does not mean that young people, especially young women, are able to seize them.
Investing in young people is undoubtedly a key factor for success in sub-Saharan Africa’s development. However, the investment needs to be seen differently, given the unprecedented pace and nature of current demographic, technological and climate changes. IFAD insists that it is impossible to develop rural youth policies without a broad integration of rural development. Indeed, when economic and social opportunities are limited, targeted support for young people in rural areas is ineffective.
2019 Rural Development Report: Creating Opportunities for Rural Youth
By IFAD
IFAD, 2019; 294 pp.
Interview with Paul Winters, Assistant vice-president of the strategy and knowledge department of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
In this issue
"Youth should be part of the conversation about rural development"
Assistant vice-president of the strategy and knowledge department of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Paul Winters, highlights the factors that need to be in place for rural youth to prosper.
Smallholders access the sweet potato snack market
by James Karuga
An agri-processing company in Tanzania producing nutritional, sweet potato-based foods is providing a ready market for local women and young farmers.
Caribbean agriculture revisited
A study on the condition of agriculture in the Caribbean suggests new ways forward.
Building Jamaica’s creditworthiness with blockchain
Pioneering technology in the Caribbean is aiming to help financial institutions make better farming investment decisions in order to provide unbanked farmers with credit.
Making index-based insurance profitable
Tech firms, brokers and insurers are working to make index-based insurance profitable and sustainable without subsidies, by cutting costs, sharing data and improving efficiency.
Digitalising extension: Smart advisory services for farmers
To enable smallholder farmers to improve production, reduce crop loss and ultimately increase productivity, it’s crucial to transform agricultural extension services through impactful decision-support tools and digital know-how.
Transformer les projets en réussites
by Yanne Boloh
Pour qu’un projet d’aide au développement ait un impact positif, y compris dans le secteur de l’agriculture ou de l’agribusiness, certaines conditions doivent être remplies.
New approaches for the future
by James Thorp
Three new reports focus on food systems and production in Africa to achieve food security and end malnutrition and poverty. Digital technologies, better policies and new farming approaches are all highlighted as means to achieve these aims.
Stepping up climate-smart efforts in Malawi
To help the growing number of Malawians effected by droughts, floods and emerging pests and diseases, a climate-resilience project is scaling out tailored weather technologies and advisory services to smallholders.
Nigeria increases tomato paste production with good practices
by Oluyinka Alawode and Sophie Reeve
Nigerian tomato farmers are overcoming production challenges to increase the quality and quantity of their yields, and access a ready market for their produce.
The potential for women to tap into Africa’s free trade area
by Bob Koigi
New initiatives are emerging to empower women traders and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the increased border trade and reduced tariffs as a result of the operationalised Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Groundnut production boosts profits for Zambian farmers
Greater access to improved groundnut seed in Zambia and training in crop management is increasing smallholder productivity and market access in the face of diminishing cotton prices.
“We need a strategy that focuses on the transformation of food systems”
Professor Frederike Praasterink is a lecturer in sustainability and future food systems in the Netherlands. She strongly believes that leadership at the local level is needed in the strategy for transforming food systems.
Vegetable gardens crop up in Trinidad and Tobago
Student entrepreneur, Jameel Phillip is creating adaptable food production systems in the Caribbean by setting up small urban gardens that maximise production using space-saving designs.
Reducing water raises rice yields in Tanzania
After enduring recurring spells of drought, floods and poor harvests, Tanzanian farmers are taking up climate-smart skills to bolster farming efficiency.
“Quality is the key to success!”
Maïmouna Sidibe Coulibaly explains how her company Faso Kaba, which means ‘corn country’ in Bambara, Mali, became one of the leading suppliers of improved seeds adapted to the Sahelian climate.
Kenyan farmers optimise water use with mobile phones
by Bob Koigi and Toby Penrhys-Evans
Remote monitoring of greenhouses is allowing Kenyan smallholders to irrigate their crops from afar and improve their quality of life.
Farmers eyes in the sky in Cote d’Ivoire
Joseph-Oliver Biley founded drone start up WeFly Agri in January 2017 to help farm and plantation owners regain control of their land.
