Globally, the average age of farmers is 60 years old, and young people are increasingly pursuing nonagricultural careers rather than following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents (World Farmers’ Organization, 2017). Worldwide, populations are becoming younger, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 10 of the youngest countries in the world are located (Hutt, 2016). Youthful populations offer a great opportunity for many countries as the entrepreneurial and innovative energy of young people can help revitalize and enhance local economies. This is particularly true in the agricultural sector, where new technologies and innovative farming practices have the potential to enhance the sector’s productivity and effectiveness. However, young people do not automatically gravitate to farming. To see agriculture as a profitable and exciting career path, young people need education, technical training, and resources (such as land and finance). Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are already bringing new vibrancy and potential to agricultural practices around the world. Young people are more ready and eager to master these new technologies and apply them to agriculture to increase productivity and solve challenges. At the same time, these technologies can help demonstrate to youth that agriculture can be a viable and profitable business opportunity, increasing the desirability of agriculturerelated career paths.
This case study explores the nexus of youth, technology, and agriculture, highlighting insights from a meta-analysis of efforts around the world — and particularly in U.S. Government Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) countries — to engage youth in agriculture through ICTs. It begins with an analysis of the challenges hindering youth involvement in agriculture. These include:
• Family and community pressures
• Lack of perceived profitability
• Access to land
• Access to finance
• Access to education, technical training, and resources