The Future of Work in Agriculture : Some Reflections
As countries develop (and food saturation takes hold), agriculture's role as domestic employer declines. But the broader agri-food system also expands, and the scope for agriculture-related job creation shifts beyond the farm. Historically, te...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/777731585054424384/The-Future-of-Work-in-Agriculture-Some-Reflections http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33485 |
| Summary: | As countries develop (and food
saturation takes hold), agriculture's role as domestic
employer declines. But the broader agri-food system also
expands, and the scope for agriculture-related job creation
shifts beyond the farm. Historically, technological
revolutions have shaped and been shaped by these dynamics.
Today, a digital revolution is taking hold, affecting
agricultural labor and skill demands. In this process,
societies evolve from having a surplus to a shortage of
domestic farm labor, typically met largely by foreign
agricultural wage workers. Yet, anti-immigration sentiments
are flying high in migrant-destination countries, and robots
in the fields and packing plants offer an alternative.
Agricultural trade may be similarly challenged. In the
world's poorest countries, particularly in Africa,
labor productivity in agriculture remains at historically
low levels. So, what can the role of agriculture as a source
of employment be in the future? This viewpoint elaborates on
these trends and reviews several policy options, including
inclusive value chain development, better immigration
policies, social insurance schemes, and ramp up in
agricultural education and extension. |
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