Decent employment and the future of agriculture. How dominant narratives prevent addressing structural issues
Abstract
Decent employment in agriculture is part of the general narrative about working
conditions. It is an unquestionable objective but its position high in the international
agenda contributes to sideline major structural issues faced by many agricultures around
the world. This is particularly the case in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, which represent
about 90% of global agricultural workers, and where agriculture still plays a major
role in employment and the economy. Different trajectories of structural transformation
and rates of demographic growth result in different employment challenges which
are central for possible improvement of work conditions in agriculture.