Youth Seeding the New Era of Smart Farming
Youth Seeding the New Era of Smart Farming
Connected Agriculture for Rural Youth
CHALLENGE OVERVIEW
In this challenge, ADB seeks solutions that can improve the livelihood of rural youth affected by the COVID-19 crisis by equipping them with appropriate tools and knowledge to implement smart agriculture practices and drive the market growth further.
Due to the enforced strict lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, disruption in the domestic food supply chain has caused an imbalance to the agri-food system. Certain metropolitan areas were experiencing food shortage while food-production regions were having a glut. Smallholder farmers, especially the aging farmers, and agribusinesses, struggled to get food from farms to consumers.
Nevertheless, this plight in the food value chain could create opportunities for young people, who have been facing unemployment crisis even before, with ripple effects on keeping the food supply chain alive mainly in times of crisis. Youth has always assumed that agriculture is neither profitable nor rewarding thus, they seek work in the cities. Now with the COVID-19 threatening the food supply and with the increasing rate of youth unemployment, this could be an opportunity for the new generation to pivot, take on the job, and make innovations to an already fragile food system.
Beyond tractors and rakes, emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, blockchain, robots, and Artificial Intelligence in agriculture can facilitate enormous opportunities and encourage youth to participate more actively in agriculture. With appropriate use of digital technology and training, youth may be able access data and latest technologies needed to improve yields through precision farming techniques, drive the growth of market further through better access to platforms and market chains, and ensure better prices for farm products—empowering them and seeding a new era of smart agriculture.
How might we provide rural youth access to smart farming technology, reliable data, and market platforms to improve youth livelihood and boost agricultural opportunities that were disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis?
Your creative solutions and innovative skills are what we need to improve the livelihood of rural youth!
The participants may explore the following areas of interest:
- Providing channels and outlets to transport products and sell to wholesalers and consumers.
- Developing digital technologies that improve youth access to the agricultural value chain and smart farming.
- Supporting youth access to reliable information and training related to newer agricultural technologies and practices.