The starting point: Youth’s perceptions about sustainable agriculture

Theme overview: Researchers and politicians are increasingly recognising that young people have opinions about the problems facing the world, and that in many ways they are working to address them. Studies from different parts of the world show many similarities in the views of youth about sustainable agriculture and local food systems, regardless of ethnicity, … Read more

Imagine…

Editorial: Agriculture is sustainable if it can attract future generations of young farmers. But the overwhelming tendency of young people is to move out of farming, in search of a more comfortable life and better income. Does it mean that within the next few decades farming as a livelihood will cease to exist, and that … Read more

Opinion: Worth fighting for

Francisco Caporal argues against changes in the Brazilian Forest Code. Industrial agriculture is expanding in order to remain competitive, and this growth does not consider environmental concerns. But the biggest worry today is that many persons and organisations are pushing for changes in the existing legislation – especially those laws and regulations which have proved … Read more

The many possibilities of ICTs in African agriculture

Communication is crucial in human interactions. The use of social media has become widespread, especially among young people. Modern communication tools can also be used to make agriculture more appealing and more effective. Though neglected for a long time, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are now seen as an important tool for development, especially in … Read more

Call for contributions: Regional food systems

If there is one thing that the world food crisis has shown us it is that heavily relying on global food markets can be dangerous – especially for the urban areas and where households rely on imported food. This is a strong argument in favour of strengthening local and regional food systems. These are characterised … Read more

Learning about … Teaching around the globe

Edukans is a Dutch non-governmental organisation which aims to facilitate access to education, and improve its quality. Miet Chielens, one of its Programme Officers, explains that the organisation “aspires to give disadvantaged and marginalised children in developing countries a chance to build a better future for themselves and their society”. Miet Chielens, one of its … Read more

Mind! New in print / More on youth

New books from The Worldwatch Institute, Friends of the Earth International, IFAD and others. Global food security: Ethical and legal challenges C.M. Romeo Casabona, L. Escajedo San Epifanio and A. Emaldi Cirión (eds.), 2010. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. 532 pages. Read more Rural poverty report 2011. New realities, new challenges: New opportunities for tomorrow’s generation … Read more

Meeting a region’s broad development needs

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, works to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity and the lives of rural populations, and to contribute to the growth of the world economy. The Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division (ESW) supports FAO’s efforts to promote the economic and social well-being of the … Read more

Opinion: Youth farming and research

Young professionals need to be engaged in shaping the future of agriculture, says Courtney Paisley, at YPARD. The first step in attracting future young professionals is nurturing the ones we have now. Furthermore, we need to provide more young role models for future agriculturalists to look up to and so change their perceptions of agriculture. … Read more

Locally rooted: Ideas and initiatives from the field

Young people can contribute enormously to farming and agriculture production – and in many cases they already do so. How to strengthen or support their efforts? These are some of the many interesting examples we have found. Nepal: Finding sources of inspiration Empowering young farmers takes on many forms – from giving them the tools … Read more