Generational renewal in family farming: FAO addresses the digital gaps affecting rural youth

In industrial agrifood systems, 98% of young people use the Internet, compared to 34 % in traditional agrifood systems. This gap, highlighted in FAO’s 2025 report “The State of Youth in Agrifood Systems”, represents one of the challenges affecting young people’s ability to remain in rural territories and participate in family farming.

To continue the debate on generational renewal in family farming, the second session of the third edition of the Cycle of Exchanges , organized by FAO, through the Regional Technical Platform for Family Farming, together with the Specialized Meeting on Family Farming (REAF) of Mercosur and the youth initiative of the World Food Forum, addressed the digital gaps affecting rural youth and the institutional actions promoted to expand connectivity, improve infrastructure and strengthen digital inclusion in territories.

During the event, more than 100 participants from 53 countries, learned about the results and lessons shared by Mateus Quevedo, General Coordinator for Rural Youth of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming of Brazil; Daniela Bone, representative of the Association of Afro-Ecuadorian Women Timbiré in the Future (AMATIF) of Ecuador; and Feyisayo Akande, founder of the agrifood startup Cillabel Ltd. of Nigeria.

The speakers presented initiatives and policies that have helped overcome barriers by improving access to digital tools and information, while strengthening the skills of rural youth. They also highlighted innovative practices with the potential to be adapted and replicated in other contexts. In addition, they reflected on mechanisms for collaboration among the public sector, private sector and civil society organizations.

At the end of the session, Valentina Morales, Rural Development Consultant and Focal Point of Rural Youth issues at the FAO regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that “investing more and actively involving young people in efforts to close digital gaps will create more opportunities for them to remain in rural areas and will support the transition towards more efficient, resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.

The third cycle of technical exchanges will continue on July 2 with a session dedicated to investment and financing rural youth engaged in family farming. The event will explore opportunities to access credit, public funds, and other investment instruments for generational renewal in the sector.

FAO and Interregional Cooperation

The FAO regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean promotes the strengthening of technical cooperation between regions, building on the experiences of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since 2023, the “Cycle of technical exchanges” series of the Regional Technical Platform for Family Farming has fostered dialogue among countries from all regions to share solutions that support the development of initiative for the sector.

FAO also supports countries in the design and implementation of policies, strategies, programs, and investments aimed at improving the well-being of young people and expanding the opportunities for the development of family farming.

One example is the work carried out in Caribbean countries, within the framework of the FO4ACP project, led by FAO, PROCASUR, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), which improved the capacities of family producers organizations in Belize, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Guyana, while creating opportunities for young people to join and develop collective business, providing new services for all members.