It stands as a stark contrast that approximately 690 million people globally suffer from hunger in a society full of innovation and technical breakthroughs. This global crisis is not merely a statistic; it is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted inequalities that plague our societies. A multifaceted strategy is needed to combat hunger, but youth’s enormous potential as change agents is one important component that is too frequently overlooked.
With their huge generation, youth has a special role to play in ending world hunger. Their energy, creativity, and adaptability make them a powerful force for transformative action. These people have the power to influence tomorrow’s food systems since they are not only the planet’s future heirs but also today’s creative thinkers and problem solvers.
Harnessing the Power of Youth Leadership: In order to address world hunger in a sustainable manner, youth leadership is crucial. Young individuals can question preexisting paradigms and suggest novel ideas since they have a new viewpoint and are frequently less constrained by old mindsets. They are effective communicators and change agents because of their capacity to connect with their colleagues and communities.
There are several instances that show how youth leadership may be revolutionary in the fight against hunger. Kenya’s youth-led “Akili Trust” has created a smartphone app that links farmers to markets, lowering post-harvest losses and raising farmers’ earnings. The “Youth for Food Security” network in India encourages youth to support laws that support wholesome eating and sustainable agriculture.
Empowering Youth through Education and Skills Development: Providing youth with access to high-quality education and skill development is essential to enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the battle against hunger. Education gives people the information and abilities they need to support food security policies, encourage understanding of nutrition, and participate in sustainable agriculture methods.
Programs that support the growth of agribusinesses and agricultural entrepreneurship can enable young people to generate jobs in the distribution, processing, and production of food. In addition to improving young people’s chances individually, investing in their education and skill development also increases community capacity to combat poverty and malnutrition.
Leveraging Technology for Innovative Solutions: The use of technology in agriculture and food systems is revolutionizing these sectors, and young people are leading the charge in utilizing this technology to fight hunger. Their technological know-how and proficiency with digital media enable them to create creative solutions that tackle issues faced by governments, communities, and farmers.
Drones are being used by youth-led enterprises in Ghana to gather data on soil and crop health, empowering farmers to increase yields and make better decisions. Young entrepreneurs in Tanzania have created a mobile network that links farmers directly to consumers, cutting out middlemen and boosting their earnings.
Enabling Youth Participation in Policymaking: In order to guarantee that young perspectives and priorities are taken into account in choices that impact their lives and livelihoods, meaningful youth participation in policymaking processes is necessary. Policies that support food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture must involve youth in their formulation.
It is essential to establish forums for young people to participate in policy talks, consultations, and decision-making procedures. Encouraging young people to take part in community leadership and local governance can also give them important experience and skills for changing policy.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for a Hunger-Free Future: Youth is active participants and potential changemakers in the fight against global hunger, not just passive onlookers. Through the utilization of their energy, creativity, and technological know-how, we can expedite the trajectory towards a future devoid of hunger.
The time to act is now. In order to enable young people to become catalysts for resilient communities and sustainable food systems, we must invest in their education, skill development, and leadership opportunities. We can unleash the transformative power of youth in the battle against global hunger and pave the way for a more equitable and food-secure society by fostering an environment that encourages youth participation and innovation.
MUHAMMAD SHEIKH
LAHORE
