Decent Employment and the Future of Agriculture. How Dominant Narratives Prevent Addressing Structural Issues

Decent employment in agriculture is part of the general narrative about working conditions. It an unquestionable objective but its position high international agenda contributes to sideline major structural issues faced by many agricultures around world. This particularly case sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, which represent 90% global agricultural workers, where still plays a role economy. Different trajectories transformation rates demographic growth result different challenges are central for possible improvement work conditions agriculture. However, existing development remains shaped modernization paradigm based on technical progress centrality productive optimum. Its progressive adoption world has resulted productivity increases deeply impacted through farm differentiation concentration followed massive exit workers. process change results today environmental social sustainability prevent replication previous pathways. Yet, current policy architecture supporting promoted agencies relayed national policies continue focus same recipes. Framed market-led agenda, they increased improved access markets, better provision public goods. They target “agripreneurs” who able adapt competitive economic environment. Attention progressively paid “smart-modernization” sustainable intensification, while alternative approaches like agro-ecology remain limited local experiences. Mainstream addressing continuing developing countries, as well issues. In that context, improving necessary approach sector, multiple roles beyond production food feed must be acknowledged discussed. implies reinvestment strategic thinking supported new research labor content agri-food consideration dynamics order identify adequate models