FAO’s work on migration

17/12/2020

Migration represents both challenges and opportunities for food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.

International Migrants Day 2020 is an opportunity to explore policy options that address the root causes of migration and incorporate migration issues in agriculture and rural development strategies.

FAO migration framework. Migration as a choice and an opportunity for rural development
The Framework serves as a guide for the Organization’s work on migration at global, regional and country level.

The State of Food and Agriculture 2018. Migration, agriculture and rural development
This publication focuses on migration in its different forms and highlights how – despite the challenges they may present – migration flows are crucial to economic, social and human development.

Characteristics, patterns and drivers of rural migration in Senegal
Based on a survey conducted by FAO and the Senegalese National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD), this study informs policy-makers about the causes and dynamics of rural migration to help them forge better economic and agricultural development policies and address youth employment issues.

Rural migration in sub-Saharan Africa – Patterns, drivers and relation to structural transformation
In recent years, rural migration within sub-Saharan Africa has increased, generating serious socioeconomic and environmental challenges. This paper explores these challenges by looking at the new drivers of migration in the region.

Rural Africa in motion: Dynamics and drivers of migration south of the Sahara
Focusing on a region particularly exposed to migration, this atlas includes maps and infographics showing rural migrants’ profiles, migration drivers and patterns, remittance flows and much more.

Migrant workers and the COVID-19 pandemic (policy brief)
COVID-19 has affected migrants working in agro-food systems and their families in rural areas of origin. The measures that have influenced the movement of people (internally and internationally) and have resulted in labour shortages will also have an impact on agricultural value chains, thus affecting food availability and market prices globally.

Further reading

Forthcoming

  • FAO’s role in forced displacement contexts
  • Moving matters in rural Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan: Linking international migration from rural areas to agriculture, food security and social protection

Additional resources

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