#San Jose #Costa Rica #Sustainable Development #IICA #Rural Youth

Urgent Call to Empower Rural Youth

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has made a compelling statement regarding the urgent need to empower the youth in rural regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. This appeal highlights the increasing challenges faced by rural youth due to demographic changes, lack of opportunities, and ongoing migration trends. The essence of the message is clear: rural youth should be at the center of sustainable development strategies to secure a prosperous future for these regions.

The Growing Concern

Recent demographic trends reveal a troubling picture. As birth and mortality rates decline, the population across many areas of the region is aging. Coupled with this is the ongoing migration of young people from rural communities to urban centers, causing significant disparities and weakening the fabric of rural society. Manuel Otero, the Director General of IICA, along with other experts, points out that this migration is largely driven by inadequate infrastructure, limited educational resources, and lack of job opportunities. This migration not only erodes the available human capital but also disrupts generational succession in agriculture, jeopardizing food security and straining urban areas with challenges like overcrowding and social exclusion.

A New Approach is Needed

To effectively counteract these trends, IICA suggests that migration should not merely be stemmed but rather transformed into an opportunity. The focus must be on fostering conditions that allow young people to envision a future in rural areas as desirable and achievable. This transformation involves significant investment in essential services, such as:

• - Transportation and Connectivity: Enhancing the physical and digital infrastructure to ensure young people have the means to access education and job markets.
• - Improved Health Care and Housing: Ensuring that basic needs are met adequately for youth to thrive.
• - Education Tailored to Modern Needs: Strengthening rural education systems, particularly in secondary and technical sectors, by integrating digital knowledge, agricultural innovation, and stronger ties to local productive environments.
• - University Involvement: Leveraging universities as hubs for science, technology, and innovation that are engaged with rural territories.
• - Support for Agribusiness Ecosystems: Creating supportive policies that facilitate young people's engagement in agribusiness, providing them with access to financing, mentorship, land, and markets while ensuring sustainability, gender inclusivity, and community participation.
• - Private Sector and International Cooperation Engagement: Mobilizing resources, creating jobs, and transferring technological know-how.

Otero emphasizes that investing in rural youth equates to investing in social cohesion, food security, and sustainability for the entire region. He advocates for recognizing these youths as pivotal players in shaping the future and preserving their right to choose their living circumstances and lifestyles.

The Call to Action

With an urgent timeline for action, the IICA has underscored the importance of coordinated policies and partnerships. The potential of digital agriculture, life sciences, and innovation must be harnessed to ensure that rural communities remain vibrant and resilient. The time for decisive action is now, to affect not just the present, but the future of rural Latin America and the Caribbean.

About IICA

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency for agriculture within the Inter-American System. Its mission is to promote, support, and bolster its Member States' efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through top-quality international technical cooperation.