Our focus

A large share of the world's poor live in rural areas and many of them rely on the agrifood system to earn a living. However, rural employment opportunities are often precarious, informal, poorly remunerated, and even hazardous. This can trap workers and their families in a vicious cycle of hunger and poverty.

The agrifood sector holds untapped employment opportunities, as it is predicted to grow in tandem with population growth and rising food demand, urbanization, and change of consumption patterns. Harnessing this potential and promoting more and better jobs as well as workforce development in agrifood systems is essential to build sustainable and resilient livelihoods for vulnerable people, fight child labour, and address the adverse drivers of rural migration, while promoting agricultural practices that preserve the environment and facilitate the adaptation to the effects of climate change. Ultimately, addressing the inadequacy of employment conditions and opportunities in rural areas, especially for women, youth and other vulnerable groups, represents a key component of an inclusive, resilient and gender-responsive approach to transforming the rural space.

Youth in rural areas in particular face many barriers when trying to earn a livelihood. This is due to the lack of training and education opportunities, limited access to assets such as land, financial services, and markets, and low levels of involvement in decision-making. As a result, many young people migrate from rural to urban areas and beyond, often increasing their vulnerability. Low family incomes and few livelihood alternatives are also key factors that contribute to child labour in agriculture, perpetuating a cycle of poverty for the children involved and their families.