Baku: Azerbaijani youth should become a driving force in the promotion of sustainable development in agriculture, stated Muhammad Nasar Hayat, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Azerbaijan, during an event commemorating World Soil Day. Given Azerbaijan’s young population structure, Hayat emphasized the importance of focusing on youth as a priority for agricultural development.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Hayat highlighted the need to engage young people not only in IT, oil, and gas sectors but also as champions of sustainable development. He stressed the importance of involving them in meaningful ways and educating them on the significance of natural resources such as soil, greenery, and water.
Hayat underscored the critical role of young people in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and conserving natural resources. He pointed out that soil is fundamental to life, as it supports plant life, which in turn sustains the animal kingdom. He emphasized the connection between biodiversity, resilience against climate change, and the necessity of conserving soil as a vital natural resource to meet sustainable development targets.
Expressing his gratitude to the event’s organizers and participants, Hayat highlighted the importance of collective efforts in preserving soil resources. He noted the significance of this year marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization, expressing pride in their long-standing commitment to public service and sustainable development. He called for a renewed commitment to continue addressing the needs of the global community.
Hayat also addressed the challenge of engaging young people in agriculture, acknowledging that the older generation has failed to present agriculture as a high-tech profession. He stressed that agriculture today is indeed a promising, modern, and innovative industry, encouraging young people to view it as such.