Reimagining Food Security: Youth Voices Shaping the Future of Agrifood Governance

Bridging the Gap: Youth Perspectives on Reforming Food Security Governance

As part of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security (KACFS), the Kofi Annan Foundation convened a Youth Working Group (YWG) of four young experts in food security to consult with their youth networks to inform the KACFS process. 

Through a combination of online questionnaires, focus group discussions, and individual interviews, a total of 481 young people aged 18 to 35 from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean Islands, Southeast Asia, and Europe were surveyed. The research explored their challenges related to agriculture, food and nutrition security, their experiences engaging with organizations and institutions addressing these issues, and their expectations and recommendations for improving food and nutrition governance models against the backdrop of conflict, climate change and deepening socio-economic inequalities.

(Above) Focus group discussion with Colombian rural youth.

The Youth Working Group

Navigating Agrifood Systems as Youth in 2024

Youth exclusion and governance gaps in food and nutrition security policy 

Youth exclusion from food and nutrition security decision-making and policymaking remains a global challenge. Across regions like West and Central Africa (WCA), Eastern and Southern Africa, Latin America, the Indian Ocean Islands, and Southeast Asia, young people consistently report feeling sidelined. For example, in WCA, 68% of respondents cite limited youth involvement, echoing frustrations seen elsewhere. Despite their potential to drive innovation and sustainable practices, youth often lack the resources, support, and platforms to influence policies or governance. In Latin America and the Caribbean, while 78% of young respondents have engaged with organizations working on food security, only 59% feel supported—and even then, only sporadically. 

Youth exclusion from food and nutrition security decision-making and policymaking remains a global challenge.

Ineffective governance compounds the issue. Bureaucratic hurdles in Europe and Southeast Asia delay policy action, while corruption in regions like Africa and Latin America undermines program effectiveness and erodes youth trust. 

“I am sad when I see that my country, which is an agricultural country, cannot guarantee food for everyone at all times.” – A young agricultural engineering consultant from Benin.

The exclusion of young people represents a global governance failure, especially in youth-dominated regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, where the majority population is under 35. Addressing this deficit is critical to ensuring food security policies reflect the priorities of the generation most impacted.

Young people in agriculture amid global crises

In agriculture-dependent regions, young people seek stronger incentives and financial support to remain in the sector. In West and Central Africa (WCA), where agriculture employs 60% of the workforce and contributes 35% of the GDP, most youth remain committed to farming despite facing challenges like limited access to finance, quality inputs, biodiversity loss, arduous labour, and low social recognition.

“With climate change and increased exportation of food, countries like mine are likely to have less food. Unfortunately, even those who farm focus on selling their produce to get money instead of first ensuring they have enough to subsist on. Initiatives and interventions can only work in a transparent environment.” – A young female law student from urban Uganda.

Globally, insufficient access to technology-enabled agricultural practices hinders progress. For example, only 42% of respondents in English-speaking Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) use technologically enhanced tools, highlighting untapped potential. While some WCA farmers adopt innovations like automated irrigation and GPS farming, resource limitations in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Islands exacerbate the rural-urban divide. Landlessness, poor working conditions, and limited opportunities further challenge rural youth in WCA and Latin America, while urban areas are better positioned to leverage technology. In Southeast Asia, gaps in awareness and technical support slow progress, while European youth cite bureaucratic obstacles and inadequate practical training as barriers to modern agricultural careers.

“A lot needs to be done before we can say we are secure. Instead of being reactive, we have to be proactive for the future. Come up with new technologies that are renewable and sustainable, that can also incorporate ecosystems in its planning.” – A young woman from rural Seychelles.

“A lot needs to be done before we can say we are secure.”

“Concrete action is needed, combining efforts and investing in the countryside, where farmers play a leading role because they are the ones who know the territory. In this way, ancestral and traditional knowledge can be combined with the scientific knowledge we need to ensure food security in Colombia and throughout the world.” – A young woman from rural Colombia, formulator of an ecotourism plan in a protected area

Climate change significantly exacerbates these struggles, creating profound challenges for food security and livelihoods. In regions like West and Central Africa (WCA), Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Islands, climate change threatens agricultural productivity through droughts, floods, and increasingly erratic weather patterns. Similarly, in Latin America and the Caribbean, young people report substantial crop losses and a decline in dietary diversity and nutrition. Rising food prices, driving reduced meat consumption and the disappearance of certain crops due to the adverse effects of climate change have led to less diversified diets. 

“On my family’s property, we used to fish in a river for consumption, but due to deforestation, there are no fish left.” – A young woman from Colombia whose family produces food.

For many, these difficulties are compounded by conflict, political instability, and fragile economic conditions. In Africa, youth from countries destabilized by violence report severe impacts on the quantity, quality, and diversity of their diets, as soaring prices for vegetables and fruits make them increasingly inaccessible. 

“Back in Mexico, the cartels often ‘kidnap’ certain crops or burn fields, causing a significant increase in the price of food, which usually means that I avoid buying food that would normally be part of my weekly diet.” – A Mexican national currently studying in Portugal.

Shaping Food and Nutrition Security: Youth Ideas for Transformative Governance

Focus group participants from West and Central Africa. 

Enhancing climate resilience in agrifood systems

“I feel cautiously optimistic about the future of food security. Innovations in agriculture, sustainable practices, and improved governance hold promise. However, challenges like climate change and inequality require urgent attention. By prioritizing resilience, equity, and collaboration, we can work towards a more secure and sustainable food system for all.” – A young man in a leadership position from a rural area of Malawi.

“I feel cautiously optimistic about the future of food security.””

Addressing climate change is an urgent and universal priority, with regions emphasizing locally tailored solutions to enhance resilience and safeguard food security. In West and Central Africa (WCA) and Southeast Asia, strategies include improving agricultural practices and minimizing post-harvest losses to strengthen food systems. The Indian Ocean Islands, meanwhile, prioritize the adoption of climate-resilient crops to mitigate the impacts of changing weather patterns on food production. Across all regions, implementing climate-smart policies and sustainable agricultural practices emerges as essential for securing food and nutrition in the face of escalating climate challenges.

Empowering youth in agriculture and food and nutrition security

“Governments from food-insecure countries should embrace their capacities and local resources to identify and [build the capacity of] youths to develop nutrition-sensitive and agribusiness services. It is time to reconsider youth participation in agri-food systems transformation.’ A Beninese project leader with a PhD in agriculture.

Investing in youth-led initiatives is vital to engaging young people in agriculture and food security. Across regions, participants highlight the need for sustainable financing, professional development, and training on the adoption of technology-enabled practices. In SIDS and Eastern and Southern Africa, higher salaries and benefits are key incentives, with 45% of respondents emphasizing professional development opportunities. WCA youth recommend democratizing agricultural information and reforming education to prepare for food and nutrition security careers, while Southeast Asian youth call for robust technical training and support systems to drive innovation and transform food systems. 

 “I am optimistic because my local government is really trying to incentiv[ize] young people to get into agriculture. More awareness is needed, and with time, more and more young people are getting involved.” – A young woman from Eswatini.

Special attention must be directed toward rural youth, who, despite constituting a substantial portion of the agricultural labour force, remain largely excluded from food security governance. Many of these young individuals work in agriculture driven by passion or family tradition, yet they often face significant challenges that threaten their continued engagement in the sector. Moreover, many lack a comprehensive understanding of how global, regional, and national governance frameworks directly impact their livelihoods. To address these challenges, nutrition and food security policies must actively engage and involve rural youth in ways that are accessible, relevant, and practical to their experiences. Providing targeted support, creating incentives to sustain their involvement, facilitating access to information, and offering robust capacity-building opportunities are essential steps to empowering rural youth and ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping food security governance.

 “We need to encourage young people to stay in the countryside, otherwise we won’t have enough people to produce the food the world needs.”

– A young woman from Colombia

Reimagining food security governance by and for youth 

“If vulnerable target groups are not consulted; if their needs or their technical and managerial capacities are not addressed in line with local constraints; if resources are not mobilised by them, with them and for them, while avoiding corruption, then all the efforts of the various parties involved or affected will be in vain.” – A young project management assistant in rural Benin.

Youth demand greater inclusion in food security governance, with varied approaches reflecting regional needs. In West and Central Africa (WCA) and the Indian Ocean Islands, hybrid governance models that blend public, private, and community-driven efforts are strongly favoured. Meanwhile, youth in Latin America advocate for localized, bottom-up governance to replace ineffective top-down policies. Across all regions, respondents emphasize the need for stronger political will and anti-corruption measures as prerequisites for effective national governance. To create impactful and inclusive solutions, youth urge policymakers to put local communities, farmers, young people, and women at the heart of decision-making, recognizing them as co-creators of food and nutrition security policies. Recognizing youth organizations as key partners in policy creation and implementation is seen as critical to addressing the current minimal engagement and frequent dismissal of their contributions by existing food security bodies.

Respondents also express what many describe as ‘cautious optimism‘: while they believe solutions exist and are hopeful about youth-driven innovations to improve global food security, they call for real, committed action and sustained political will from their governments. 

“I feel both worried and hopeful about the future of food security and agriculture. Climate change and a growing population make it harder to provide enough food for everyone. However, I believe that with better farming practices, new technologies, and strong policies, we can overcome these challenges. Working together globally will be key to making sure everyone has enough to eat while protecting the planet.” – A Bachelor student from rural Mauritius.

Young People are Central to Achieving Food Security

Young people are central to achieving food security, particularly in developing countries, where the vast majority of them reside. The KACFS Youth Working Group highlighted the vulnerabilities young people face and their significant potential to transform food systems and governance. Meaningful youth participation is essential in international food governance. We hope the upcoming final report of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, alongside the insights from the Youth Working Group, will serve as a guide for fostering stronger youth engagement and participation. This is crucial to addressing the shortcomings of outdated global food systems, which often overlook the diverse perspectives of the 1.2 billion young people worldwide. 

About the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security Youth Working Group 

The Youth Working Group started on 8 July 2024 and ended on 30 September 2024. The four members of the Youth Working Group received a stipend from the Kofi Annan Foundation for their work. 

Header photo: Gold coast, QLD / Australia – September 20, 2019: youth protesters joining global climate strike, School Strike 4 Climate for political action on urgent climate change, listen to our voices. SewCreamStudio / Shutterstock.com