In many of the more than 50 countries of Europe and Central Asia, rural areas face various and multiple challenges to their livelihoods, their environments, and their food security. Although the obstacles often differ, better support to youth, digitalization, and innovation can bring about improved economic growth and wellbeing for rural communities across the region.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has dedicated a series of events to discuss how to transform existing agrifood systems into sustainable ones by tapping into the potential of digitalization, innovation, and youth. Two virtual events focused specifically on Europe and Central Asia.
For a greener future
The event “Greening our future“, organized under the FAO Science and Innovation Forum 2022, presented how youth – with the help from science and innovation – can help capitalize on these existing tools and practices in making agriculture more sustainable. It highlighted a wide range of proven approaches, technologies, and practices that are rooted in science and innovation, including indigenous and local knowledge. These tools and practices can be adapted, customized and applied to local contexts to improve livelihoods, the environment, and production.
"We all agree that greening our agrifood systems means greening our future”
According to the definition by the FAO Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture, green agriculture entails transforming local food systems through sustainable policies and practices, namely by reducing the toll on natural resources, avoiding environmental degradation, while reducing poverty, increasing livelihoods, and ensuring good nutrition.
The event gave further insights into what can be done to give science and innovation a bigger role in agricultural transformation, while also ensuring a greater involvement of youth in this. Panelists from Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Georgia shared their experiences.
“We all agree that greening our agrifood systems means greening our future,” said Ismahan Eloufi FAO Chief Scientist in her concluding remark. In this regard, she called for intensifying the application of science and technology, where youth can act as “enabler of change”.