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- It is important to frame the report in the context of sustainable food systems and avoid falling back into a supply driven approach to food and agriculture The reason youth are not engaging in agriculture any longer is that the prevalent economic model has led to the degradation of rural livelihoods and migration to cities. Youth leave in search of income (including remittances to send home), opportunities and social services. The experience of developed and transition countries is particularly enlightening, and pushing for more of the same will just not work.
- The emergence of neo-rurals (whose parents were not farmers) who engage in alternative production systems may provide useful insights on what attracts youth to engage in agriculture and food systems, learn about their experiences, understand the challenges they face and identify the support they may need.
- Insufficient attention has been given in recent years to post-harvest activities. Food processing can contribute to local economies, add value to local food production and facilitate access to safe and convenient foods. And it can provide jobs for youth. Territorial development policies should be based on an inventory of local biodiversity and experience with a view to make the best of sustainably managed natural resources.
- Catering and food delivery is probably the most effective source of employment and means of integration of youth (including migrants) at local level and this will increase with more and more people eating out of home. Here again, learning from recent experiences could contribute to understanding youth expectations and creating an enabling environment. Housing (in particular for young women) is a critical dimension. A rights-based approach will be essential to ensure appropriate protection and regulations.
- The necessary reorientation of food systems will require major changes in training and financial services. Youth should not be pushed into indebtedness to finance unsustainable business models.
- The present economic system has led to closing social services in increasingly deserted rural areas, leading in turn to acceleration of outmigration in search of social services. Inversing the trend by investing into schools and cultural activities in rural areas and supporting off-farm activities (e.g. eco-tourism, rural hospitality) can provide employment activities for youth (keeping local youth and attracting young entrepreneurs). [See SongYang consensus attached].
- The integration of young migrants into increasingly deserted rural areas would provide an opportunity to maintain, strengthen and revive local food systems.
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