A New Generation of Farmers: Youth Transforming Peru’s Rural Landscape
In Peru’s San Martín region, the heart of its coffee production, young farmers are stepping up to lead the next chapter of agriculture. They are embracing regenerative practices, enhancing productivity, and championing inclusivity—values that are transforming rural economies and bringing new life to transitions that once seemed distant.
The Aging Workforce: Why Youth in Agriculture is Critical for the Future
Behind every sip of your morning brew is the hard work of farmers. Yet the future of agriculture is at a crossroads. Globally, the agricultural workforce is aging at an alarming rate. In the United States, the average age of a farmer is 58; in Kenya, it’s 60; and in Japan, where the situation is most dire, the average age is 67. As this generation of experienced farmers edges closer to retirement, the question looms: who will continue to fill our coffee cups and feed the world?
Similarly, in Peru, the agricultural workforce is aging, with the median age of farmers now nearing 52. This shift presents a significant challenge to the sustainability of agriculture, as older farmers may be less inclined to embrace new technologies or regenerative practices that could enhance resilience and productivity. Additionally, an aging workforce can undermine the resilience of the agricultural sector, leaving it more vulnerable to external pressures and disruptions.
With young people increasingly drawn to city life and modern careers, agriculture is often overlooked as a viable path. This trend seriously threatens the global food supply, making youth involvement in agriculture more critical than ever. Yet within this challenge lies a tremendous opportunity for young people to forge a path to economic stability, develop critical leadership skills, and gain the confidence needed to navigate some complexities of adult life. In this context, the stories of young farmers like Lucy, Gema, and Cristian in Peru become not just inspirational, but essential. They are the new generation stepping up to ensure that farming remains vibrant and sustainable.
To reverse this trend, TechnoServe has been actively engaging young farmers through the Coffee Alliance For Excellence (CAFE) and Mujeres CAFE programs. CAFE, a public-private partnership funded by USAID, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), and Althelia Ecosphere, aims to increase the income of coffee farmers by focusing on three key strategies:
- Improving productivity through training in best practices for planting, rejuvenating, harvesting, and post-harvest activities;
- Strengthening producer organizations to enhance operational efficiency and inclusivity;
- Facilitating better market access to help farmers secure higher prices for their coffee
Building on the base laid by CAFE, the Mujeres CAFE program, funded by The Starbucks Foundation, has taken on the crucial task of empowering women. The program supports them in developing leadership and communication skills, enabling them to play more significant roles in household and community decision-making.
Meet three young farmers who are leaders in this generational change.
At TechnoServe, we advocate for a multi-pronged approach to youth economic opportunity. While it includes a strong focus on increasing income; it’s about improving agency — supporting individuals’ healthy transition to adulthood. Our strategy is multifaceted:
- Cultivating economic opportunities by enhancing business skills.
- Strengthening leadership and personal agency.
- Transforming societal norms and perspectives.
- Collaborating with ecosystem actors to provide a well-rounded support system.
Lucy Pulce: A New Era of Women Leaders in Agriculture
“Each of us women have that leadership inside us, and many times we have it overshadowed because society is used to women staying at home raising children and not expanding, going out, and holding leadership positions.”
These are the words of Lucy Pulce, a 29-year-old who is breaking barriers as the president of the Association of Entrepreneurial Women in Agriculture of Nuevo Salinas.
Lucy’s journey to leadership wasn’t straightforward. Despite being encouraged by her community to take on the role, she doubted herself because she hadn’t completed high school. However, her involvement with the CAFE and Mujeres CAFE programs was transformative. Through these programs, Lucy encountered the story of Clementina and Arturo, a fictional analogy referring to some of the challenges many rural women face: Clementina, a woman with big dreams but paralyzed by fear, resonated deeply with Lucy. Arturo, the obstacle in Clementina’s way, represents Lucy’s self-doubt.
“When I got appointed president, I realized that I was my own Arturo and that I could do anything I set my mind to do,” Lucy recalled. “Even better, I had others supporting and encouraging me.”. This realization marked the beginning of her leadership journey, where she began to harness her innate abilities and confidently step into her role.
Lucy has also taken on the role of selling her family’s coffee production—a task that once intimidated her. “The first time I felt fear because I had never sold coffee, even in my home where I grew up, my father never let the women or my mother go to sell,” Lucy explained. “Then my husband trusted me and said, go, you can sell your coffee; it is your production. So, I went, and despite my fear, I saw that it was not something out of this world. It’s something we can all do.”
Lucy’s story is a powerful example of the impact of self-confidence and supportive communities in empowering young women in agriculture. Her journey from self-doubt to leadership is an inspiring model of what can happen when young people are given the tools and encouragement they need to succeed in agriculture.
Lasting Impact of Youth in AgricultureLucy’s leadership doesn’t stop at her own success. Under her guidance, the Association of Entrepreneurial Women of Nuevo Salinas participated in a competition and secured government funding to enhance coffee washing, drying, and pulping machines. These improvements aren’t just evidence of her individual gains—they’re about better opportunities for all the producers in her community. |
Gema Hacha: Leading the Regenerative Agriculture Adoption in her Family Farm and Beyond
Gema Hacha, a 27-year-old agronomist, is pioneering a new approach to farming in her rural community of Marona in Moyobamba, San Martín. As the second-youngest of her siblings, Gema has already taken on the responsibility of managing the harvest and post-harvest processes at Divino Niño, her family’s coffee farm. She is implementing regenerative agricultural practices that are setting a new standard for sustainability in the region.
Through the Alianza CAFE program, Gema has deepened her understanding of techniques that support soil health and biodiversity. “We’ve introduced vetiver grass, efficient microorganisms, and prunings to prevent deforestation,” she explained. These practices have boosted productivity and strengthened the farm’s resilience to climate change. “Now we are better trained…and continue to improve the quality of our production.” Gema’s success has inspired other farmers in her community to adopt similar strategies.
Learn more about vetiver wetlands.
But Gema’s commitment doesn’t stop at her farm. She is passionate about encouraging other women to become more involved in the coffee industry. “Women are getting more involved…and we continue to inspire others to enter this world of coffee,” she said. This increased involvement has led to women taking on key roles in tasting, as baristas, and in specialty coffee processing.
Looking ahead, Gema has a clear vision for the future. “We aim to establish a fermentation and tasting laboratory…so that farmers can learn not just in theory but through hands-on practice.” She is determined to ensure that coffee growers are well-informed and able to secure better yields and prices in the market.
Gema’s message to the next generation of coffee growers is one of encouragement and openness to innovation. “Coffee is a beautiful industry…each farm has its unique coffee, and there is a buyer for every type. With knowledge and an open mind…we will continue to grow.”
Cristian Silva: From Mechanic Student to Coffee Farming Success
Twenty-two-year-old Cristian Silva’s story is one of resilience and adaptation. Before the pandemic, Cristian was on a different path, studying automotive mechanics. But when the world changed, so did his plans. Returning to his roots, Cristian embraced farming, transforming a family plot into a thriving coffee operation.
With support from TechnoServe’s Alianza CAFE program, Cristian received training that improved his farming techniques and reshaped his views on gender roles. Initially skeptical, he soon realized the value of including women in every aspect of the agricultural process.
Cristian and his partner are building a future where farming is a source of pride and stability. Cristian’s story is a reminder that even in the face of unexpected challenges, youth in agriculture can find a way forward.
A Brighter Future for Peruvian Agriculture
Lucy, Gema, and Cristian represent a new generation of farmers transforming agriculture in Peru. Their stories are not just about farming—they are about hope, resilience, and the power of community. With the proper support and training, these young leaders are proving that the future of youth in agriculture is bright.
In a world with many challenges, these young farmers remind us that resilience, inclusion, and determination can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
