Sustainable mechanization and digitalization: Innovations that emPOWER youth in agrifood systems

A major challenge facing many low- and middle-income countries is that agriculture is not viewed as a realistic career path for young people. Youth unemployment in such countries is often high. However, opportunities exist for transforming agrifood systems that take advantage of the numerous benefits offered by innovative mechanization and digitalization technologies.

The use of mobile phones, Global Positioning System (GPS) applications and drone technology, among a broad range of mechanization technologies, could increase the appeal of agriculture among the younger generation and thereby encourage entrepreneurship and help drive rural economies.

FAO supports and promotes such youth-oriented efforts, which were discussed in detail at a joint session, held by Youth Forum and Science and Innovation Forum. It was held on 17 October 2024 in FAO headquarters in Rome, as a part of the World Food Forum 2024. The focus of the event was on ‘emPOWERing’ youth to contribute to agrifood systems transformation through sustainable mechanization and digitalization.

The challenge is, however, not solely a technical one. Promising new technologies have to fit into prevailing socioeconomic systems, which are invariably context specific, and goods and services must reach the consumer efficiently. This was summed up by Chikelu Mba, Deputy Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, who asked the audience to reflect on, “How can we empower the younger generation to not just find jobs, but to become entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders for sustainable agrifood systems?”

The power of discussion and sharing experiences

Four young speakers from diverse backgrounds shared experiences and lessons learned to drive and benefit from sustainable agricultural mechanization and digitalization. They discussed successful examples of empowering youth with the right skills, access to finance and research, and their contribution to agrifood systems transformation.

Seryazi Abdallah, an entrepreneur and smallholder farmer from Zirobwe Kalagala Youth Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Uganda, explained how he contributed to the design and implementation of a youth-led cooperative that offers a wide range of agricultural services including the provision of mechanization operations for a fee to farmers. Digitalization is a central part of their business as they use a mobile phone app to book mechanization services, tractor rental, payment and farm data analysis, as well as represent the gateway to training and support. He maintains that “Agriculture is attractive and fun and there are many opportunities along the value chain where young people can tap into to create businesses.”

Khaoula Abrougui, an associate professor at the High Institute of Agronomy of Chott Mériem, University of Sousse, Tunisia, carries out applied research on drones and GPS-tractor self-guidance systems with a view to managing important aspects precision agriculture systems. Her aim is to contribute to increased productivity and product quality, improved resource efficiency and minimized negative environmental impacts of agriculture. While the technical aspects of precision agriculture are promising, Khaoula raised the important issue of regulatory challenges. Yet, the law in Tunisia has not been amended to take drones into account and consequently their use in agriculture is currently restricted. The use of precision spraying with GPS, relying on communication between tractor and data, could however contribute to increased agricultural inputs-use efficiency.

Mohammad Kafil Uddin, who leads an initiative with small and medium enterprises at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Bangladesh, is active in the area of finance and business models for sustainable mechanization, with youth in mind. The Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia – Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA–MEA) is a private-sector driven approach that facilitates the creation of enterprises along the mechanization value chain and improves linkages among actors. Through this approach, they have enhanced the skills of more than 4000 farmers (many of them youth) and facilitate access to finance of more than USD 3.7M for creating mechanization hire services for farmers, including, for rice transplanting and harvesting.

Mohammad pointed out that “Public–private partnership and access to finance are critical in developing a mechanization value chain that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient in Bangladesh.”

Isnawati Hidayah, a member of the World Food Forum Young Scientists Group from Indonesia shared how she promotes agroecological farming, hydroponics, precision agriculture and composting, through use of social media, including podcasts. This streamlines direct sales to consumers, bolsters knowledge transfer and builds capacity among the youth. Reflecting on her collaboration with researchers in Indonesia through ROTASI Institute, she believes that “Like-minded researchers can build networks and use multidisciplinary approaches to work with communities in various projects.”

The future

The future of agriculture in many countries lies in the hands of their youth. For meaningful agrifood systems transformation, agriculture will have to hold more appeal among the youth. Sustainable innovative mechanization and digitization technologies represent one means of achieving this aim.

Mona Chaya, Special Advisor at the Chief Scientist Office, suggested that we “… carry forward the spirit of collaboration and action. Together, we can create an ecosystem where young minds are empowered to lead, where sustainable practices are the norm, and where technology serves as a bridge to a brighter, more inclusive future.”

This sentiment was reinforced by Mayling Flores Rojas, an FAO agricultural engineer, who moderated the session. She maintained that “the spirit of collaboration among like-minded young people is very inspiring. We need more networks of passionate young people to transform our agrifood systems.” 

The recording of this session is available on YouTube.