A new generation of farmers

Each new generation of farmers faces the challenge of trying to create a livelihood from the resources available to them. These resources are the result of the physical and social legacies of the past, as well as the opportunities of the present. It is clear, however, that in many parts of the world the capacity of agriculture to provide a sustainable livelihood for new generations in rural areas is declining, and radically new approaches are needed. In order to develop workable policies to support these approaches we require a better understanding of the realities of rural youth.This edition of the LEISA Magazine, looks at young people in their role as family and community members and as individuals whose opportunities depend on the policies and structures of the agricultural economies of which they are a part. A series of articles (each available to download separately) examine the livelihood strategies and education needs of young people in a rural context using case studies including:Research from East Africa on understanding the differing livelihood strategies employed by youth compared to adultsYouth research from Honduras and Colombia'REAL Education' as an integrated learning process in which school children explore what is happening on local farms, gain an understanding of ecology, and develop critical thinking skills with respect to environmental, health and social problemsUsing primary school education to better mobilise communal resources to halt environmental degradation in TanzaniaDeveloping a school which acknowledges the value of the language, culture and knowledge of the local community in the AndesYoung farmers turning back to traditional small farming in the Netherlands