Opinion: Farmers are getting old. Time to unlock our youth's potential
By Ibrahim Thiaw // 17 June 2024
Let's face it: The future of agriculture is under threat, and it's time to sound the alarm. As we choose our food from the supermarket shelves, the fact is that the backbone of our food supply — the farmer — is aging.
With the average age of farmers in most high-income countries approaching 60, and data showing that average agricultural household heads are around 50 in nearly 40 low- and middle-income countries, agriculture is facing a critical demographic challenge.
More and more young people are turning their backs on farming and flocking to cities in droves. If this trend continues, our global food supply could be in serious jeopardy.
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About the author
Ibrahim Thiaw
Ibrahim Thiaw is the under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, with over 40 years of experience in sustainable development, environmental governance, and natural resource management. Previously, he served as special adviser to the secretary-general for the Sahel, where he played a key role in recalibrating the U.N. Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and developing the U.N. Support Plan for the Sahel. As assistant secretary-general and deputy executive director at the U.N. Environment Programme, Thiaw was instrumental in shaping strategic visions, strengthening governmental collaborations, and directing environmental policy implementation.
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