TwentyforGood: Sourcing and Placing the Future Workforce for Good in Agri-Innovation and Navigating Digital Transformations in Agriculture
In the dynamic landscape of global agriculture, the intersection of digital technology and workforce dynamics is shaping the future of labour sourcing and placement. As countries embrace technological advancements to enhance agricultural productivity, the demand for digitally skilled labour in agri-innovation is on the rise. Digital disruption has not spared the world’s oldest industry with Agriculture 5.0 leveraging digital technologies across the value chain. This shift not only transforms traditional farming practices but also presents opportunities and challenges in workforce development, particularly in developing regions. Digital transformation involves people, processes and technology, with people being the most important resource. Job technology (jobtech) must be leveraged to train, reskill and connect people to work opportunities in the agriculture industry value chain.
Digital Frontiers’ TwentyforGood movement is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to direct at least 20% of future jobs towards solving the world’s greatest challenges. To achieve this vision, TwentyforGood is building a body of evidence for SDG net-positive job-creating ecosystems, with its first thematic focus on agri-innovations. This initiative aims to ensure the workforce is prepared to meet the demands of Agriculture 5.0, addressing both current and future needs of the agriculture sector while contributing to sustainable development and economic growth in developing regions.
Understanding the Evolution: From Agriculture to Agri-Innovation
Historically, agriculture has been a significant employer, particularly in developing countries where it serves as a primary source of livelihood for millions. However, as countries progress and achieve food security, the role of agriculture as a domestic employer diminishes. Nonetheless, the broader agri-food systems continue to expand, creating new opportunities for employment beyond traditional farm work.
According to the World Bank’s “Future of Work in Agriculture” (2020) paper, this evolution is part of a broader pattern where technological revolutions redefine labour demands and skills in agriculture. The current digital revolution, characterised by automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven farming practices, is at the forefront of transforming how agricultural tasks are performed and how labour is deployed across the value chain. Additionally, the paper stipulates that agriculture will continue to be a major employer in low-income countries, as in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, a decrease in the share of the workforce employed in agriculture is still accompanied by an increase in agricultural employment in absolute terms, as the population continues to grow fast, and cultivated land (the “extensive margin”) expands.
Digital Technology Trends and Their Impact
Digital technologies such as precision agriculture, drone technology, and IoT(internet of things)-enabled devices are revolutionising farming practices. These innovations streamline operations, optimise resource use, and improve yields, thereby increasing efficiency and profitability. However, their adoption requires a workforce that is proficient in digital literacy and technical skills, posing a challenge in regions where educational and infrastructural gaps persist. As relevant agri-innovation technology is increasingly applied, the traditional physical farm jobs decrease in the case of commercial farming, for example sugar cane farming but at the same time the agri-food system expands, creating new job opportunities beyond farming.
The Smart Africa Continental Agritech Blueprint (2021) emphasises the importance of upskilling the agricultural workforce to harness the potential of digital technologies effectively. It calls for investments in education and training programmes tailored to equip farmers and agri-entrepreneurs with the necessary digital skills. This approach not only enhances productivity but also fosters sustainable agricultural practices that are essential for long-term economic growth.
Challenges and Opportunities in Labour Sourcing
Labour recruitment in agriculture has long been rooted in local hiring practices and word-of-mouth referrals. The sourcing of labour for agri-innovation jobs faces several challenges, particularly in developing countries. These include inadequate access to education, limited digital infrastructure, and cultural barriers that may hinder technology adoption. Moreover, as societies transition from surplus domestic farm labour to potential shortages, some countries rely on migrant agricultural workers. However, political and social factors, such as anti-immigration sentiments, complicate the recruitment and retention of foreign labour. Skills development and job creation in Africa underscores the importance of inclusive policies that integrate smallholder farmers into agri-value chains.
Youth Employment in Agriculture
A notable initiative shedding light on labour market dynamics in Africa is the African Development Bank’s “Youth Employment in Agriculture as a Solid Solution for Sustainable Development” (2016) project. This initiative targets youth unemployment by promoting skills development, access to finance, and technology adoption in agriculture. By empowering young individuals to engage in the agri-sector, the project aims not only to address unemployment but also to drive inclusive economic growth in rural communities. The East African Community 2018 conference, ‘Youth Employment in Agriculture as a Solid Solution to Ending Hunger and Poverty in Africa,’ fostered an exchange among stakeholders on knowledge and best practices regarding the interlinkages among agriculture, youth employment, entrepreneurship and information and communication technology (ICT) innovations.
Some Innovations in Job Placement
Innovative platforms like Terra.do, MESH and the JobTech Alliance are revolutionising job placement by focusing on skills development and digital literacy, which are crucial for the near-future labour force. The JobTech Alliance advocate for the use of job tech, which is the use of digital platforms to connect people to work opportunities that build livelihoods. These include social media platforms, e-commerce marketplaces and platforms for offline work monitoring. Terra.do specialises in remote learning programmes that equip individuals with skills in sustainable practices, including digital agriculture techniques attracting employers that require skilled employees. This prepares them for roles in precision farming and data-driven agriculture, aligning directly with the digital transformations occurring in the agricultural sector. Therefore, while these platforms contribute to broader job placement and skills development initiatives, they need to directly align with the specialised needs of sourcing and placing the near-future labour force specifically in agri-innovation, which demands a more targeted approach to digital transformations in agriculture.
Similarly, MESH connects job seekers with opportunities in emerging fields like agri-innovation, emphasising the importance of technical skills and adaptability in navigating digital advancements in farming practices. MESH connects job seekers with opportunities in diverse emerging fields but may not prioritise the technical skills and domain knowledge crucial for agri-innovation roles. Notably MESH has partnered with Unilever, a large agri-processing company that supplies users of MESH with products for commerce. These platforms must play a pivotal role in sourcing and placing talent in agri-innovation, fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable agricultural development and entrepreneurship in the digital age.
To be successful these platforms focus on bridging skills gaps between tech industries and education but may not address the unique challenges and requirements of the agricultural sector, such as precision farming, IoT integration, and data analytics in farming practices. Therefore, while these platforms contribute to broader job placement and skills development initiatives, they can do more on the specialised needs of sourcing and placing the near-future labour force specifically in agri-innovation, which demands a more targeted approach to digital transformations in agriculture.
As agriculture undergoes profound transformations driven by digital technologies, the sourcing and placement of the future workforce for good in agri-innovation require strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and policy frameworks. By addressing these challenges proactively and leveraging the potential of digital innovations, countries can unlock new opportunities for sustainable agricultural development and inclusive economic growth. Social media, mobile and digital platforms can play a pivotal role in connecting agriculture value chain companies to pool of agri-innovation skilled talent and workforce. This can be achieved by continuing to address the digital divide, improving digital literacy necessary to embrace new digital tools in agriculture.
Through collaborative efforts between governments, private sectors, and international organisations, we can ensure that the agricultural workforce is equipped with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the digital age. Through this approach, the TwentyforGood movement not only seeks to enhance global food security but also the creation of meaningful employment opportunities that impact communities and societies worldwide, for good.
For more information on TwentyforGood, learn more on our website: https://twentyforgood.org/
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Authors: Ephias Ruhode, Tolbert Mucheri, Albert Mubako and Phillip Bvekwa
