We might have the technology and even the finance needed to ensure global food security, but how can this be achieved if youth are not interested in a future of farming?

An article in the Guardian Professional outlines how a large portion of the 60 per cent increase in global food production needed by 2050 has to come from poor smallholder family farmers in developing countries. But these farmers often lack access to technologies that increase farm productivity, including climate-smart agricultural technologies aimed at adapting to environmental changes.

Added to this is the demographic challenge that the article says “could limit global food production”. The average age of farmers across the world is around 60 and older farmers are less likely to introduce new, transformative production techniques.

In developing countries, 60 per cent of the population is under 25 years of age but youth are rapidly migrating to urban areas as they do not see a future for themselves in agriculture.

Addressing these challenges is possible, says the article, pointing to a number of innovations that have worked. One of these is the farmer-led regeneration of trees in Niger to provide food, fuel and fodder and the re-greening of the Sahel in Burkina Faso through agroforestry.

These practices could be rolled out on a larger scale through farmer organizations that bring producers together to share knowledge and collectively manage market prices. Youth need to be specifically targeted through field schools and youth entrepreneurship facilities supported by development organizations.

Read the full story: Is global food security jeopardised by an old age timebomb?