You know what I thought about 2020 at the beginning:
It’s finally the 2020s. After 20 years of not being able to refer
to the decade we’re in, we’re all finally free—in the clear for the next 80
years until 2100, at which point I assume AI will have figured out
what to call the two decades between 2100 and 2120.
We now live in the 20s! It’s exciting. “The twenties” is super
legit-sounding, and it’s so old school. The 40s are old. The 30s even more so.
But nothing is older school than the Roaring 20s.
Ha! Who knew the Chinese bat would litter all over my fantasies. People like me living in their bubble, wouldn’t have thought that a global pandemic would be a looming risk for decades. COVID -19 has come as a shock to society, health system, food security, economies and governments worldwide.
What is
Post COVID World?
COVID-19 will be remembered as the virus that stopped the world. We are living through the period that can be best described as the greatest act of solidarity in history, as people give up civic freedoms to save lives. And while we all agree that managing the health crisis is the overwhelming priority, the social and economic consequences are, and will be, dramatic in already troubled world. What will the world look like after COVID-19? Many of the problems we will face in the next decade will simply be more extreme versions of those that we already confront today. The future is never an exact copy of the past and the world will see more catastrophes, but they will not evolve exactly the same way as COVID-19. Food scarcity is going to be a major one. After COVID-19 there is a risk that the world could be yet more divided, conflictual and nationalistic. But an alternate scenario is within the rich. In this scenario, collective action within communities, insuring food sustainability and mobilizing youths will make a more rapid and peaceful exit from the crisis possible.
Food and
COVID-19
We are 7.8 billions (and counting) in number in this little ball of rock and water. So, 7.8 billions mouths are to be fed. We cannot resist the calling of hunger. We can tolerate everything. We can stay locked up inside our houses, without internet, without entertainment, without communication but not without food (and drinks). The system stops in the absence of food, however rich, however developed. After COVID-19 we fear that the food will be scarce, especially in the developing world.
Youths and COVID-19
The young people, they comprise of one third of world population. They had to face a lot recently. I am still confused as a youth. I worry about the impact on my mental health, jobs and income. Many youths like me have lost their trust in their governments recently. Youths want to step in. Youths want themselves involved in the planning process, in execution, in management. Youths want a better future made for them by themselves.
COVID-19,
Youths and Food Sustainability
Youths are not actually a homogenous group. Youth is not an age; it’s a state of mental and physical capabilities. Youths have seen to be less susceptible to the corona virus than old people and infants; however it doesn’t mean that they are less affected. But it surely indicates that the post COVID world would totally rely upon shoulders of the youth.
A family is said to be food secure when its members do not live in hunger or fear of hunger. A study of demographic shifts in the world says that the youths are extremely vulnerable to food security. When we mix this scenario with the post effects of pandemic, the situation becomes more menacious and treacherous.
So, there is an immediate need for the involvement of youths in agriculture. If we wish to be food secure in future then youths must get their hands dirty. Jobs behind the desks involving papers and blue screens might seem attractive but they would have no purpose and no existence at all if our fields will be barren.
A splendid example is shown by Egypt and Mexico since they have made their cultivable land available for youths. These countries created a land market by giving youths credits to purchase underutilized, potentially productive land.
Farmers often lack access to existing technology. Even when they do have access, farmers may prefer not to adopt the new technology due to an inability to bear the risk associated. Youths can be part of the strategies like increasing investment in agricultural research and improving access to farmers. So, young people must be able to implement a technological revolution in their communities.
Youths generally think that there’s a lack of quick cash in agriculture and believe that agriculture doesn’t provide a stable income. If only this concept is removed, there is more they can offer. Youths can do the same thing their forefathers did on fields, only better and faster. Youths can be in charge of production, markets, sells and industries at the same time. They can do the same thing in a bigger scale with a bigger picture.
Nutrition will be the spotlight of discussion in the post-COVID world. All sorts of nutritional deficiencies should be addressed for better immunity and for the confrontation of who knows what other pandemic. Most of the youths in schools, colleges and at job should be well acquainted with importance of nutrition and encourage the modern world to eat healthy and live happy.
In order to end the cycle of unemployment and food insecurity, youths need to create new opportunities through self employment and entrepreneurial activities.
Youths must be viewed as an asset to the post COVID world. An estimated 1.2 billion individuals are entering adulthood in the coming decade. So collectively today’s and tomorrow’s youths, hand in hand should greatly enhance food sustainability within the nations and communities.
Today, in response to the outbreak many youth-led organizations have stepped in to help communities and similar should be the case in future in terms of food sustainability. Now, governments have to listen and make young people part of decision making process. In times of great uncertainty rebuilding trust with youths is the key for recovery and resilience.
The post COVID world will run swiftly only if the food is sustained and secured and it will be shaped by decisions being made by youths in the crucible of the fight against the virus.
