Highlighting agriculture and the young
Agriculture, along with livestock, is fundamental to Eritrean livelihoods, the national economy, and Eritrea’s broader developmental goals. The country is mainly arid and semi-arid, with extremely little and very erratic rainfall. According to estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Eritrea possesses around 2.1 million hectares of potential land for rain-fed agriculture and around 600,000 hectares for irrigation. Furthermore, reports published in recent years indicate around 500,000 hectares of land are cultivated, with more than 93 percent under modified rain-fed farming, while the rest is irrigated.
Today, it is estimated that about two-thirds of the Eritrean population resides within rural areas (although urbanization is increasing), with many individuals and households still relying on rain-fed agriculture and pastoralism for incomes. Overall, it is estimated that farming, animal herding, and fishing are the mainstay of livelihoods for approximately 65-70 percent of the population.
While the sector has historically operated well below minimum efficient scale and scope, considerable government investments and targeted interventions by the MoA are rapidly raising standards, improving efficiency and productivity, and helping the sector move closer towards fully realizing its vast potential. Compared to the early 1990s, the proportions of poor people and those suffering from food insecurity in the country are believed to have declined substantially.
With specific regard to livestock in Eritrea, they are a vital source of livelihoods and provide valuable nutrition to a large percentage of individuals and households in communities across the nation. What is more, they represent a critical asset and safety net for poor and low-income individuals or households, especially women and pastoralist groups. Importantly, livestock in the country are growing, not only in terms of their total number but also with regard to the local demand, while their overall role and significance continues to increase as the sector grows nationally.
In terms of Eritrea’s young people, as is the case with many other developing countries, they represent a large proportion of the country’s population. According to estimates from the National Statistics Office, almost 40 percent of Eritreans are under the age of 15 years and about 72.5 percent are under 35 years, indicating a young overall population and presenting significant potential for a demographic dividend in the future. Moreover, although Eritrea is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, features rich ethnolinguistic and cultural diversity, is situated within a critical geostrategic location, and boasts a long, unblemished coastline along the Red Sea, its young people constitute its greatest resource and most precious asset. Historically, and also at present, they contribute in substantial and numerous ways to the nation, while boasting tremendous resilience, work ethic, and potential.
Significant potential and contributions
The engagement of youth in agriculture – both in Eritrea and around the world – is vital for a variety of reasons. First, they can help to drive innovations and increase the uptake or adoption of modern, useful technologies. This, of course, can help to smoothen the introduction of new farming practices, while supporting increases in productivity and efficiency. Ultimately, this embrace of innovative farming techniques and technology means that young people have a crucial role to play in ensuring that communities across the nation have access to nutritious and affordable food.
In addition to being at the forefront of innovation, young people are leading the world’s push to prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Accordingly, their increased engagement and advocacy within the agricultural sector can only positively influence the adoption of environmentally friendly practices and methods – ranging from agroforestry and organic farming to conservation agriculture – which can help mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Furthermore, their inherent openness to experiment with innovations and climate-smart methods can contribute to soil preservation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection, as well as enhance resilience to climate shocks.
Alongside all of the above, the agricultural sector has far-reaching importance because it offers youth (and other segments of the population) another viable avenue for dignified jobs and income-generating activities. For Eritrea (and other countries across the world, particularly developing regions) adequate employment for youth remains a pressing issue. Accordingly, young people can look to the agricultural sector – including agribusiness and value-added activities, such as food processing, packaging, and distribution – to find legitimate economic opportunities. This not only will help to empower young people and raise their incomes, but will have an overall positive impact on boosting rural economies and reducing poverty. Furthermore, the active engagement of more young people in the sector can help to change the popular perception toward it and allow for the attraction or interest of many others.
Overall, both in Eritrea and around the world, young people have a critical role to play within agriculture. They possess immense potential and offer a range of contributions. For Eritrea, supporting and empowering young people in the agricultural sector will be key to addressing the nation’s challenges related to food security, climate change, and unemployment.
Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion