Engaging young people in agriculture presents a vital opportunity to advance regenerative farming methods and transform food systems. By integrating technology with sustainable practices, regenerative agriculture can rejuvenate ecosystems, enhance rural livelihoods, and appeal to younger generations seeking purpose-driven careers. n nWith farming populations aging globally—fewer than 5% of farmers are under 35 and average ages reaching 60 in some regions—there is an urgent need to make agriculture more accessible and appealing to youth. Declining interest among young people, coupled with rising global food demand, threatens long-term food security. n nThe World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that agriculture could generate 35 million new jobs by 2030, marking one of the largest employment expansions worldwide. Yet the sector faces serious challenges, including degraded soils, climate volatility, and increasing input costs. Regenerative techniques, supported by emerging technologies, offer a solution by restoring land health and strengthening resilience against environmental shocks. n nTo attract youth, regenerative farming must be seen as both viable and forward-looking. Investments in hands-on training, affordable financing, and innovation—through collaborations between governments, businesses, and civil society—can equip young farmers to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to robust food systems. n nOne standout example is Belterra Agroflorestas, a B-Corp certified agri-tech company and Top Innovator in the 2022 Trillion Trees: Amazon Bioeconomy Challenge. Operating in Brazil, Belterra partners with small and medium-scale farmers to restore the Amazon through regenerative agroforestry and develop markets for sustainably produced crops. In late 2023, the company presented its model at the Accelerating the Amazon’s Ecopreneurship Ecosystem event in Manaus, hosted by the World Economic Forum and the Inter-American Development Bank. Through its involvement with UpLink, Belterra secured over USD 20 million in funding that year. n n“ n n”Our participation in events and recommendations through UpLink have facilitated connection with partnerships with high impact potential. […] The exposure generated by UpLink accelerated negotiations and strengthened our credibility with investors.” n n” n n— Valmir Ortega, CEO, Belterra Agroflorestas n nRegenerative agriculture emphasizes restoring farmland ecosystems, particularly soil health, which supports 95% of global food production. Healthy soil enables higher, more stable yields and helps meet growing demand. However, intensive use of machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides has led to widespread degradation. Agriculture contributes up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a major driver of biodiversity loss and resource depletion. n nRegenerative methods counteract these issues by enhancing soil’s capacity to store carbon and retain water. Practices such as crop diversification, integrating trees into farms, and rotational grazing improve biodiversity and system resilience. In Africa, these approaches could increase crop output by up to 40% in coming decades, benefiting both ecosystems and rural incomes. n nNestlé has made farm resilience a strategic priority, aiming to source 50% of key ingredients from regenerative farms by 2030, with a milestone of 20% by the end of 2025. The company supports knowledge-sharing platforms like the World Economic Forum’s Food Innovation Hubs. In Colombia’s Boyacá region, such a hub established a Centre of Excellence to equip local producers with tools and training for sustainable farming. A pilot project with private partners achieved a 36% rise in barley productivity, illustrating how collaboration can yield environmental and economic gains. n nYoung people are not rejecting agriculture but are looking for roles that reflect their values, skills, and aspirations to create positive change. Regenerative farming aligns with this mindset, especially when combined with entrepreneurship, modern technology, and practical education. Digital tools like smart sensors, precision agriculture, and AI-powered crop models are making sustainable farming more efficient and appealing to tech-savvy youth. Real-time data on weather, soil nutrients, and irrigation can optimize resource use, increase yields, and reduce emissions and costs. n nAccording to the International Labour Organization’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024, aligning education with green and digital skill demands is essential to close employment gaps. However, technology alone is insufficient. A recent briefing from the Food Innovators Network highlights that digital transformation in food systems depends on equity, readiness, and trust—ensuring innovations promote inclusion rather than deepen disparities. n nNestlé emphasizes peer-based learning and supports training initiatives for agronomists and agroforestry professionals through interactive online programs. These focus on soil management, agroforestry integration, and improving smallholder systems, expanding access to science-based regenerative practices. n n“ n n”Scaling impact requires all stakeholders – governments, businesses, civil society and innovators – to work together across the value chain.” n n” n nEconomic viability is crucial. Nestlé’s Income Accelerator Programme for cocoa farmers provides incentives for school enrollment, rewards sustainable practices, and supports alternative income streams, helping families achieve a living wage. Similar efforts under the Nescafé Plan 2030 are enabling coffee producers in Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mexico, and Honduras to boost incomes while adopting regenerative methods. n nCollaboration is key to progress. Nestlé is partnering across sectors—from France’s Living Soils initiative to alliances with AgroImpact, Cargill, and ETG | Beyond Beans—to strengthen farming ecosystems through funding, mentorship, and innovation. The Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences is applying AI and data analytics to reduce farming’s environmental footprint, such as accelerating the development of coffee varieties resistant to drought and disease. n nBy investing in youth, education, and technology, and embedding regenerative principles into food production, society can cultivate a new generation of agile, empowered leaders ready to build resilient and sustainable food futures. n nSupporting young farmers is essential for a fair transition in agriculture. Collective investment in land access, financial services, education, training, and digital tools is needed to make regenerative farming both profitable and attractive. n
— News Original —nAttracting young people into farming is a critical opportunity to drive the agricultural transition towards regenerative farming approaches. n nTech-enabled regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to restore ecosystems, improve farmer livelihoods and make agriculture more attractive to the next generation. n nNew skills can cast farming as a future-ready career, empower youth as agripreneurs and drive the systemic change needed for resilient food systems. n nThe demographics of farming are evolving – with an ageing workforce, it’s time to attract young people into agriculture by providing them with better conditions. n nFewer than one in 20 farmers globally is under 35; in some countries, the average age is pushing 60. This trend, combined with declining youth interest, threatens the future of food production just as global demand is rising. n nAccording to the World Economic Forum’sFuture of Jobs Report2025, agriculture is expected to create 35 million additional jobs by 2030 – one of the largest employment surges worldwide. n nHowever, the sector faces mounting challenges: poor soils, unpredictable weather and rising costs. Regenerative agricultural practices and emerging technologies offer a way forward, restoring ecosystems and improving food system resilience to climate shocks. n nTo draw young people into farming, regenerative agriculture must be perceived as both practical and promising. n nBy investing in practical training, accessible finance and innovation – within partnerships that unite governments, business and civil society – we can equip the next generation to make regenerative agriculture a viable livelihood and a foundation for resilient food systems. n nDiscover n nBelterra Agroflorestas – Advancing regenerative agroforestry in the Amazon n nBelterra Agroflorestas, an UpLink Top Innovator of the 2022 Trillion Trees: Amazon Bioeconomy Challenge, is a B-Corp certified climate foodtech at the forefront of regenerative agroforestry practices in Brazil. Working with small and medium-sized rural farmers, they focus on Amazon restoration and market creation for sustainably grown crops. n nIn late 2023, Belterra showcased their solution at the Accelerating the Amazon ‘s Ecopreneurship Ecosystem event in Manaus, Brazil, a regional gathering hosted by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank. Through their engagement with UpLink, Belterra was able to raise more than USD 20 million in 2023. n n“ n n”Our participation in events and recommendations through UpLink have facilitated connection with partnerships with high impact potential. […] The exposure generated by UpLink accelerated negotiations and strengthened our credibility with investors.” n n” n n— Valmir Ortega, CEO, Belterra Agroflorestas n nUnderstanding regenerative agriculture n nRegenerative agriculture’s approach is to conserve and restore the farming ecosystem, particularly by improving soil health. Soil is crucial for 95% of global food production. Healthy soils are a foundation for higher and more resilient yields in the future, helping to meet rising food demand. n nUnfortunately, soil health is degrading, including from the overuse of heavy machinery, fertilizers and pesticides in farming. n nToday, food production accounts for up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and remains a leading cause of resource depletion and biodiversity loss. n n“ n nYoung people are not turning their backs on farming but they are seeking opportunities that align with their values, skillsets and ambitions, including a desire to shape a better world. n n” n nRegenerative farming helps reverse this trend by improving the soil’s ability to retain carbon and water. Techniques include diverse cropping systems, agroforestry and livestock integration, all of which boost biodiversity and resilience. n nIn Africa, regenerative practices could raise crop yields by up to 40% in the coming decades, improving farmer livelihoods, soil health and ecosystems. n nFor Nestlé, building resilience in farms, communities and ecosystems strengthens the supply chain and is a business priority. By 2030, the company aims to source half its key ingredients from farmers using regenerative practices, reaching 20% by the end of 2025. n nThe World Economic Forum’s Food Innovation Hubs also demonstrate the power of partnerships between farmers, innovators, governments and businesses. n nIn Colombia’s Boyacá region, for example, the hub has created a new Centre of Excellence to support local producers with knowledge and tools for regenerative agriculture. n nThrough private sector collaboration, an early barley pilot achieved a 36% increase in productivity, demonstrating how ecosystem partnerships can drive both environmental and economic benefits. n nTomorrow ‘s changemakers n nYoung people are not turning their backs on farming but they are seeking opportunities that align with their values, skillsets and ambitions, including a desire to shape a better world. n nRegenerative agriculture aligns with these ideals, especially when combining knowledge of traditional and modern agricultural practices with entrepreneurship, technology and meaningful training. n nTechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) are contributing to agriculture’s transformation. Smart sensors, precision tools and AI-driven crop models are making regenerative practices more efficient, profitable and attractive to young innovators. n nReal-time monitoring of weather, soil nutrients and water can also optimize inputs while boosting yields, cutting costs and emissions. n nAccording to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024, aligning skills with evolving demands for green and digital capabilities is critical to reducing education mismatches. n nYet technology alone isn’t enough. The Food Innovators Network’s recent briefing paper on Data and Digital Readiness in Food Systems notes that digital innovation can transform food systems but the lasting impact depends on readiness, equity and trust, ensuring digital and AI solutions build inclusion and resilience rather than inequality. n nPreparing tomorrow’s farmers, innovators and agripreneurs n nNestlé recognizes that farmers often learn best from peers and communities. The company, therefore, supports farmer training and upskilling to ensure they have the know-how to adopt regenerative techniques. n nNestlé collaborates with partner organizations to deliver interactive online training programmes to agronomists and agroforestry professionals. n nThese programmes focus on soil health, agroforestry practices and enhancing smallholder farming systems, helping to expand access to practical, science-based applications of regenerative agriculture. n n“ n nScaling impact requires all stakeholders – governments, businesses, civil society and innovators – to work together across the value chain. n n” n nFor viability, however, regenerative agriculture must make economic sense. Nestlé’s Income Accelerator Programme for cocoa farmers is one example. n nBy incentivizing school enrollment, rewarding certain agricultural methods and supporting alternative income sources, the programme improves productivity and moves farming households closer to a living income. n nSimilar programmes under the Nescafé Plan 2030 are enabling coffee farmers across Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mexico and Honduras to increase earnings while following regenerative agriculture practices. n nFuture-ready farming n nCollaboration drives progress. From France’s Living Soils initiative to partnerships with AgroImpact, Cargill, and ETG | Beyond Beans, Nestlé is collaborating across value chains to strengthen ecosystems, using finance, training, innovation and mentorship to help young farmers succeed. n nTechnology and AI are catalysts for this change. n nThe Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences is harnessing AI and data science to develop practical solutions that reduce the environmental impact of farming. For example, it is using AI to accelerate plant breeding, by helping identify high-yield, drought- and disease-resistant coffee varieties. n nBy investing in youth skills and technology, while embedding regenerative agriculture into food systems, we can cultivate a new generation of leaders who are agile, empowered and ready to grow a more resilient future. n nInvesting for success n nYoung farmers are central to a just transition in agriculture. To make regenerative farming viable and attractive, we must collectively invest in the fundamentals: access to land and finance, better education, training and technology.