From 2000 to 2014, the portion of the global population living in urban areas increased from 43 percent to 54 percent [1]. North America is also the world’s most urbanized region, with 82 percent of its population living in urban areas. Rural-to-urban migration has affected rural communities around the world while accelerating the growth and socio-economic development of cities.
The urban migration challenge is linked to agriculture because it reduces the number of people willing and able to farm the land outside of an urban center. There are many factors that contribute to urban migration but improving the economic viability and support for farmers in developing countries is a key connection to reducing urban migration and mitigating it as a challenge.
Differences between urban and rural income are significant drivers of urban migration. Industries like construction, services, and manufacturing taking place in urban areas generally have faster growth rates than agriculture. These accelerated growth rates have resulted in a larger wage gap. Urban areas then become more attractive places to live in, because of the ability to earn higher incomes. The scarcity of farmland also limits the number of new farmers that can enter the industry. It also places a limit on economic growth potential. Finally, agriculture is very reliant on environmental factors. Climate change and land degradation from agricultural activities can decrease farm productivity. Eventually, this can make rural areas susceptible to poverty and food insecurity. Younger people tend to move to urban areas to avoid these issues, and to help support their families financially.
To encourage people to stay in rural areas and stimulate the agriculture sector, governments can offer improved transportation, education, health services, and improved infrastructure in rural areas. Governments can also facilitate the connection from rural communities to markets, to encourage consumers to shop local while helping farmers sell their products. Financial services like subsidies and public cash transfer programs can also be helpful to ease poverty.
Agricultural opportunities are on the rise in Canada. In Ontario, there are four jobs available for every one graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College [2]. As agricultural technologies advance and reduce the need for physical labour jobs, the availability of jobs in product development, marketing, and data management, for example, increase. [3]
Local farms like Butterfield Acres host summer camps, field trips, and events to learn about what life is like on a farm. They offer hands-on activities and interactions with real farm animals [4]. Other organizations like Young Agrarians even offer summer jobs for those interested in learning more about working on a farm [5].
This phase of the project has been made possible by Nutrien, Enbridge, and Manulife Financial, along with the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.
The Canada WaterPortal is a registered charity, #807121876RR0001
We recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
© 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.