Conference of the World Association of Public

Employment Services (WAPES) African region

Green Jobs in Agriculture

Presented by: Mahamat Sorto, FAO Representative

(Programme) in Chad

Introduction

The agriculture sector is the largest employer in the world (a workforce of more than one billion people worldwide).

It is estimated that the green economy could createup to 60 million extra jobs.

In the agriculture sector, for example, 12 million people could be employed in the conversion of biomass into energy and also in related sectors.

Introduction

But natural resources linked to agriculture are under increasing pressure because of:the steady rise in world food demand (population growth

will generate a 70% increase by 2050 according to FAO)The consequences of climate changeIn Chad for example population growth is increasing fast

(3,6% a year) and the effect of CC is of great concern

For this reason, the transition to more sustainable farming practices is essential.

Introduction

These include the introduction of greener farming practices, such as agroecology, organic agriculture such as certification, post-harvest storage or handling or packaging practices.

It is also possible to create jobs in the field of fisheries, aquaculture and sustainable agroforestry, or the production of biofuels.

Key challenges to address

To preserve and protect the environment through a better management of natural resources.

To adapt to climate change by creating decent green jobs for the youth.

To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by adjusting land, livestock and livestock manure management.

Key challenges to address

•Every year, thousands of young people enter the labor market without much qualification.

•The persistence of unemployment and the precariousness in the status of young people in the labor market are real threats to stability, peace and development in many countries.

Green jobs diagram

Promotion of green jobs

Environmental awarenessSkills developmentGreen investmentsR&D and ecoinnovation

Support measures: environmental standards and regulations, objectives, sectoral measures, green public procurement, social dialogues, continuing education

Financial tools: environmental taxes, emission pricing, structural funds, financial instruments (loans, funds and subsidies), fiscal tools (subsidies, tax reliefs)

What FAO is doing in this area

• FAO aims to foster sustainable agricultural production systems that will generate more green jobs and decent work opportunities for rural communities. In particular, FAO works to:

• Strengthen understanding and awareness on the employment prospects for rural workers in the context of greener food systems. FAO also collects information on environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable Good Agricultural Practices to improve natural resources management as well as rural workers’ health and working conditions.

• Promote the adoption of environment-friendly activities in agriculture and develop training for rural populations in the use of green agricultural technologies. FAO produces dedicated capacity development materials on environmentally sustainable food production, including organic farming and conservation agriculture.

• Develop innovative policy solutions that encourage sustainable practices in agriculture with greater returns on labour. An increase in green jobs could foster opportunities in more employment-intensive green technologies; management and preservation of ecosystems; and green agricultural research and extension services.

Climate-Smart Agriculture. Disseminating a wide range of different knowledge and innovations to help farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices to achieve and harness potential synergies from improved productivity, adaptation and resilience of production systems and the potential mitigation reduction of GHG emissions from agricultural systems and deforestation related.

Strengthening the links in research and technology diffusion for innovation:Cooperation between FAO and CGIAR on crop production, conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, crop improvement, management of land and water resources, plant protection, seed systems and land use and conservation agriculture

What FAO is doing in this area

Development of Agroecology:

Establishment of effective public policies, legal frameworks and regulations

Preservation of biodiversity, including the protection of traditional varieties and local varieties used by farmers

Sustainable management of natural resources through agroecology

To recognize the potential of agroecology for adaptation and resilience to climate change

To provide small farmers and family farmers with access to natural resources and adapted social markets through agroecology

To promote cross-sectoral partnerships and South-South cooperation in the field of agroecology by encouraging inclusive exchange of experiences and knowledge across territories, countries and regions

What FAO is doing in this area

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) links the work done by the Organization through its strategic programs and various partners working for innovation in all sectors:

Creation of multi-stakeholder national innovation platforms aimed at establishing links between the area of science and society.

Creation of platforms to determine the effects of agricultural innovation on achieving the SDGs.

Development of a partnership for the creation of the leaders of the agriculture of tomorrow.

Development of new forms of investment to translate agricultural innovation into opportunities and concrete projects for women and youth.

What FAO is doing in this area

Agricultural biotechnology: FAO has recently published a series of case studies on successful projects in the application of agricultural biotechnologies in small-scale production systems in developing countries.

What FAO is doing in this area

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

FAO project in Chad on regional initiatives 3 (IR3)

The main purpose of this project is to address the household energy shortagesdomestique by replacing coal, wood and wood fire with biofuel renewable energy, specifically the biomass fuel briquette (from rice straws) .

Training on production of briquettes from rice straws which allows alternatively, to keep the kitchen in the household.

Raising awareness and popularizing environmental preservation tools, specially laws and their implementing decrees.

FAO project in Chad on making compost from peanuts unfit for consumption

More than 3,500 bags of groundnuts unfit for consumption are composted and will be used as organic fertilizer for market gardening in the Pala area. The resulting compost will be used by the beneficiaries to fertilize their vegetable fields.

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

The Grameen Shakti (GS) microcredit system in Bangladesh.

GS has helped to install more than 100,000 solar energy systems in rural communities and to create employment opportunities while empowering local women and youth.

GS trained more than 5,000 women as solar technicians and maintenance workers.

Many jobs are created indirectly because solar systems allow local entrepreneurs to start a new business such as community TV shops, solar cell phone charging stores and electronics repair shops.

Zanzibar Archipelago Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools programme

Young farmers in Zanzibar who have joined the JFFLS have received training in organic agriculture, including the use of natural pesticides, such as neem.

The use of organic pesticides, and other organic agriculture practices such as composting, has allowed young farmers to reduce the cost of their inputs while having a positive impact on the environment and on natural resources.

Once back home, JFFLS-trained youth in turn trained other young people in a very economical way and raised the awareness of the entire community on organic agriculture.

Thanks to their organic production, they have had access to local markets, mainly on the island of Unguja but also in Pemba.

The hospitality industry, a booming sector, has provided them with an interesting market for these products from local organic agriculture. Indeed, the majority of their clients is European, a population particularly interested in the origin of the products served in the hotels it tends to stay.

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

Vocational training in small biogas enterprises in Rwanda

The subjects taught deal with the general concept of biogas production, organic fertilization, construction, operation and maintenance of bio digesters, as well as business development and marketing

In addition, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Rwanda Integrated Regional Polytechnic Centers (IPRC), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA, Northern IPRC partner) ) and all Rwandan districts joined to support the development of biogas-specific vocational training programs

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

Vocational training for young beekeepers in ChinaDuring the three years of operation of the program, 308 local beekeepers

benefited from advanced training on hive management techniques and received support for the creation of beekeeping enterprises.

Experienced local beekeepers provide ongoing assistance to program participants through beekeeping mentoring groups, thereby contributing to the sustainability of the project

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

Development of agro-ecoturism

Ecological bungalows aim to reduce the amount of energy and water used by occupants.

Shade trees are scattered around the property and especially around the bungalows to protect them from the sun and thus refresh them.

The bungalows also benefit from energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and energy-saving lighting (neon lights throughout the property).

The farm and the reserve are equipped with photovoltaic solar panels providing electricity and there is a solar boiler system to heat the water. Water saving measures are also implemented.

A compost bin collects all food scraps - peelings, stalks and stems, rotten fresh fruits and vegetables and leftover cooked food - and this compost is used as fertilizer on crops and vegetable productions.

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

Development of agro-ecoturism

Used tires are reused and turned into feeders for wild animals or piled on top of one another for cultivation, on small plots, of tubers such as potatoes, yams, cassava, ginger and sweet potatoes.

Environmentally friendly planning techniques are adopted and chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are banned to prevent chemicals from contaminating surrounding streams and rivers, as well as drinking water, which could harm aquatic species and the quality of the water.

In addition, only native Bahamian plants are planted in the property since they are adapted to the native climate and soil and therefore require minimal watering.

Green jobs: concrete and practical examples

Strengthening skills and trainingDevelopment and transfer of affordabletechnologies (good practices)Promotion of green entrepreneurshipPartnership developmentResource mobilization and access to funding

Perspectives for Chad in terms of green jobs creation

•Establishment of strong and coherent policiesbetween economy and employment

•Integration of green jobs into national employment programmes

•Creation of a favourable fiscal environment for investments in new technologies

Perspectives for Chad in terms of green jobs creation

Thank you for yourkind attention