Food Security and Climate Smart Agriculture
As climate change intensifies and global hunger rises, the future of food security depends on how quickly the world transforms its agricultural systems.
In a recent session, Bakdaulet Yerkhanov highlighted a powerful truth: young people are at the center of this transformation, and organizations like the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) are paving the way.
Why Food Security Is a Global Priority
Food security defined by the World Food Summit (1996) as having reliable access to safe and nutritious food is under growing threat. Today:
733 million people go hungry daily
12 of 22 OIC countries are hunger hotspots
Climate disasters, conflicts, and economic instability are worsening food insecurity
Losing fertile land, shrinking water resources, and rising temperatures mean traditional farming systems can no longer keep up with increasing demand. This is where innovation and youth leadership become essential.
IOFS: Strengthening Agricultural Systems Across the OIC
IOFS was created to help OIC member states build resilient and sustainable agri food systems. Its work focuses on:
Climate smart agriculture
Strategic commodities and livestock development
Food sector governance
Humanitarian food assistance
Strengthening research, technology, and emergency response systems
From food banks to gene banks, livestock programs to agricultural digitalization, IOFS supports both long term resilience and urgent humanitarian needs.
Why Youth Matter in Agricultural Transformation
Young people make up a significant portion of the population in OIC countries and they bring exactly what modern agriculture requires:
Digital skills
Fresh ideas
Climate awareness
Entrepreneurial energy
Adaptability and creativity
Technology driven agriculture drones, sensors, AI-based crop monitoring, data analytics needs youth who can build, manage, and scale these innovations.
Youth can also create climate smart businesses, join research networks, and drive community level sustainability solutions.
Pathways for Youth Participation
The speaker highlighted several practical ways young people can join the movement:
Start small sustainability or farm based projects
Join IOFS capacity building programs
Learn digital agriculture tools
Support local farmers’ markets
Reduce food waste and promote sustainable diets
Participate in research, volunteering, and climate advocacy
These actions may seem simple, but together they create powerful change.
A Message of Empowerment
The session ended with an inspiring reminder:
“Youth are not the future leaders they are today’s innovators.”
With the right support, skills, and platforms, young people can build the climate resilient, hunger free world we urgently need.
IOFS continues to champion their role, ensuring that youth led ideas shape the future of global food security.
