From fields to forums, engagements with youths in Agroecology transition

Authors:

• Meghajit Sharma Shijagurumayum, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT 
• Arunima Hakhu, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
• Sonali Singh, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Shweta Gupta, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Anne Rietveld, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT 
• Sarah Freed, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT 

The agroecology movement in India is gaining momentum, with states adopting it at different paces. In Mandla, the transition from conventional farming to agroecological practices marks a critical juncture for the region. During a scoping trip in May 2023, the Agroecology India team identified a glaring gap: rural youth were largely absent from agricultural collectives and decision-making spaces. This realisation prompted us to engage them meaningfully through the Agroecology Youth Study, part of a global initiative across five countries.

Our goal was clear—to amplify the voices of young women and men, foster their participation in agroecology, and connect them with institutional stakeholders. This blog shares our journey of creating a participatory research process, inspiring youth involvement, and securing stakeholder commitments to advance agroecology.

Engaging Youth Through Participatory Methods

To make the research process engaging and accessible, Photovoice, a method that combines photography and storytelling, was adopted. This participatory approach aligned with agroecology’s principles of co-creation and fairness, enabling youth to document their realities and express their aspirations.

However, participation initially posed challenges. The first round of interactions in December 2023 with 38 participants, comprising 18 young men and 20 young women, faced an almost 100% drop-off rate, signalling the need for a more structured approach. As a response during the second round of interactions in February 2024, the team introduced illustrated pamphlets explaining agroecology and the Photovoice process, organised interactive photo walks, and offered incentives such as a Photovoice Award to recognise the best submissions. These efforts sparked interest and resulted in 12 committed participants—young women and men ready to share their perspectives.

From Data Collection to Local Action

Photovoice was more than just a tool for gathering insights—it became a platform for youth to represent themselves and amplify their voices. After collecting and synthesizing data with the participating young women and men, the CGIAR team, led by the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, IFPRI, and IWMI, organized a youth-stakeholder engagement workshop in Mandla in June, 2024. The event aimed to bring youth voices to the forefront while fostering dialogue with key stakeholders.

The workshop featured a Photovoice Gallery, where participants’ photographs and narratives were displayed under thematic categories. This visual storytelling medium provided youths with a powerful communication channel with districts stakeholders—including representatives from the District Agricultural Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, PRADAN, and KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra). Stakeholders voted on their favourite submissions, selected the winners and interacted directly with the young women and men, discussing their aspirations and challenges.

One of the workshop’s key outcomes was a commitment from the State Agricultural Department to fund efforts to collectivize rural youth. This step marked a significant move toward bridging gaps between young people and institutional support systems. Reflecting on the event, Madhu Ali, Assistant Director of Agriculture Mandla noted, “Youths should not shy away from taking opportunities. Young women and men need to be more vocal about their challenges and issues. They are the most energetic population and should come forward to seize opportunities.”

Amplifying Voices on a National Platform

Building on the success of the local engagement, participants from Mandla were invited to the National Workshop on Advancing Agroecology: Pathways to Sustainable Food Systems in Bhopal in December 2024. This event provided a platform for the youth to share their findings with a national audience of policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

Initially hesitant during the study’s early phases, these young participants now presented their insights with confidence and clarity. Initially hesitant during the early phases of the study, these young participants gradually gained confidence and clarity in presenting their insights. They demonstrated a strong understanding of agroecology and key concepts, such as “dream farms”—their vision of a profitable and ideal farm—and the essential elements they wished to include in their dream farms. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of action and agency in making agricultural, household, and personal decisions. Their change from reluctant participants to articulate advocates was a testament to the participatory process.

The event also underscored the importance of youth engagement in the future of sustainable agriculture. Multiple stakeholders called for a shift in perceptions about farming to attract more young people. As Nirmallya Mandal, Co-founder and Director Ecociate Consultants remarked, “We need to change perceptions of agriculture and farming. To involve youth, we must make agriculture glorious.”

The Agroecology India team across CGIAR centers also reflected on the importance of youth engagement in building a resilient agriculture sector. As Dr Gopal Kumar shared, “Through engagements in the Agroecology Initiative, I came to recognize the significance of these aspects in fostering inclusive development. This realisation has not only deepened my understanding of the critical importance of Gender, Equity, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GEYSI) but also strengthened our commitment towards integrating young people into the agroecology transition and action.”

The collaborative effort highlighted the potential of innovative programs like the Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE) Program to engage agricultural graduates in supporting rural youth.

“Youths are a critical population for advancing agroecology, and this can be done by strengthening the involvement of the agricultural graduates, particularly the Rural Agriculture Work Experience Program, which can be leveraged to engage with rural young women and men”. Shri K. S. Netam,  Joint Director, Kisan Kalyan & Krishi Vikas Govt. of Madhya Pradesh,

Unlocking Potential for a Sustainable Future

The course of this project has highlighted the potential of rural youth to drive change in agriculture. When given the right tools like Photovoice, incentives like the PhotoVoice competition, platforms to express their ideas and opportunities to engage with stakeholders, young people can emerge as potential leaders in the agroecology movement.

Agroecology is more than a farming approach— as it gains traction as a strategy in different states in India, it is also an opportunity to engender agriculture with processes and policy imperatives that mainstream collaboration, fairness, and inclusion. Such a vision for agroecology in India and rural youths’ enthusiasm, creativity and resilience can enable rural young women and men to drive change in their communities and contribute to a sustainable future.

As we move forward, the lessons from Mandla remind us that change begins with engagement. By creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and reflection, we can ensure that rural youth are not just participants in agroecology but also champions of it.