CULTIVATING CHANGE

As in many other countries, young people in Laos seem not to be interested in agriculture, nor in life in the rural areas. Most seem eager to migrate to the cities, even when they know that finding a job there can be very difficult. A large number of young Laotians migrate to other countries, looking for opportunities in South Korea, Thailand, or even Europe. This is not something that is only seen in one or two regions, but rather recognized as a national problem. In 2023, the national government recognized that “we are running out of young people to work in our country”.

Young people are easily described as “not interested”: they are good at interacting with each other and in using social media, but prefer not to follow the steps of their fathers and grandfathers and work in the land. Analysts often see a lack of interest in the fact that they do not buy land or properties, and prefer a “detached” life. This, of course, is related to the possibilities they have. Even those who have a good job find that their incomes are not enough to secure a loan. And agriculture is often seen as a long-term effort, or one which will only yield good results after many years. Young people want to see tangible outcomes in the very near future, and are not convinced by what they see as vague discourses and offers.

On the other hand, young people are interested in ICTs and in modern technologies in general. They are quick learners, capable of rapidly grasping new concepts and methods, including complex innovations like water pumps and solar cells. They are eager to work with other individuals and groups, preferring collective learning and action. Many are interested in following the examples of different entrepreneurs, setting up small-scale businesses that show a clear potential of growing.

Given this context, we are taking several steps to promote agriculture and engage young people. We are actively trying to engage those interested in modern technologies, for example by exploring the possibility of using greenhouses, allowing for crops that are grown off-season. We believe that starting early can be beneficial, so we want to work with schools and ensure that pupils develop an interest in agriculture. We to demonstrate the benefits of innovative techniques such as the use of shade houses for off-season cropping and the cultivation of edible, high-nutrition wild tubers. This initiative aims to promote daily household food security and introduce students to potential vocational opportunities after school.
A key part of our work involves linking young people to the market, helping them understand how they can survive by accessing markets at their own level. We are also working with projects that support the delivery of the specific seed varieties we want to promote, helping local farmers overcome poverty, improve security, and build resilience to climate shocks, which is a tangible benefit we can offer.
Next to this, our approach involves leveraging the power of peer-to-peer learning and local role models. We have been working closely with a young man as a valuable resource person. Working on his two-hectare farm, he initially focused on growing vegetables he’d sell to hotels and restaurants from. Now he has developed his farm into a learning centre for young people, and he provides courses and training sessions. He even has a facility for young people to stay and learn about integrated crops and even raising animals. While at first he focused on high-value crops, now he shows a subsistence model which can easily be replicated (an idea that became very popular at the time of the COVID pandemic). His view is that two hectares is a size that most people can afford – and one that also allows a farmer to be linked to the market and to make a profit.

We plan to continue working with him: the young people who go to his farm like to listen to someone who is just as young. We've observed that young people may not talk a lot, but they learn very quickly, especially from someone their own age. Seeing a young person succeed shows them that they can do it too, as they share the same vision and interests. They are very quick to coach each other and learn from one another.
Acknowledging the difficulty in getting young people into the field, we are also trying to bring the field to them, through their mobile phones. For example, we create WhatsApp groups, and when someone is doing field work, they might share a live stream on Facebook. This allows others to learn very quickly. We want them to see what their neighbours, colleagues and friends are doing, making it more interesting than just looking at experiences from far-away countries. We also understand that young people have difficulties in terms of land rights, resources, and especially funding. As mentioned, it is not easy to own land. We are trying to influence local policies so they are more supportive. A small incentive may help youth test new tools or approaches.

We are also working to link the Farmer Field Schools we have been busy with in the past so as to become future Community Based Organizations (CBOs). These new CBOs will focus on young people and will work to diversify their agriculture activities, moving towards processing and marketing. Whereas informal groups are not, CBOs are eligible for funding support – an opportunity which can help them develop their ideas.

Our wok has shown the importance of focusing on new agricultural technologies that appeal to young people's interests. It is necessary to provide targeted, tangible support for their initiatives and ideas, even if this support is small and limited. Most young people appreciate the efforts that link them to the market and which provide a more regular income. And they like to see everyone embrace and integrate mobile technologies into their day-to-day activities.

Equally important is to work with children and students, perhaps by integrating agriculture into the school curriculum. In parallel, it helps to identify and cultivate young resource persons and peer leaders, as those who can serve as relatable role models and facilitators for learning. It is good to encourage and support young people to form groups and build the capacity of these groups to evolve into more formal structures like CBOs. Interestingly, we have seen that older people can also benefit when we involve younger people in activities like Farmer Field Schools. While parents complain that it is hard to get their own children to work in the field, they are very interested when projects specifically engage young people on the farm. The older generation recognizes that agriculture may not lead to huge profits, but that young people can positively benefit – and that they can also benefit form their specific skills and enthusiasm.

Last, it’s important to be mindful of the financial realities young people face regarding land ownership and earnings, and tailor support to help them overcome these barriers. By focusing on innovation, peer learning, tangible results, and adapting to how young people communicate and operate, we believe it is possible to engage them successfully.

Douangchanh Lopaying works as Program Manager at Oxfam in Laos. For more information, please send him an e-mail: douangchanh.lopaying@oxfam.org
Keywords: youth / migration / training / capacity development