WFF Mauritania Youth Chapter: Youth-driven solutions for inclusive land tenure

The World Food Forum (WFF) Mauritania Youth Chapter, in collaboration with the “Réseau des Jeunes pour l’Agriculture en Afrique” (RJAA Mauritanie), organized a youth-led workshop in Dar Naim. Bringing together young agripreneurs, students and innovators, the session served as a platform for exchange, reflection and collaboration on the pressing land-related challenges facing young people engaged in agriculture today in Mauritania. The workshop was organized under a joint project between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), with the support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

During the workshop, participants identified key challenges in three main areas: land tenure, productivity and governance. Land degradation and declining soil productivity emerged as top concerns. In the Dar Naim area and surrounding regions, soil was reported to be increasingly unproductive due to chemical pollution, salinization and limited access to irrigation. These issues have weakened food security, reduced agricultural profitability and heightened young farmers’ vulnerability to climate risks.

Participants also emphasized limited and unequal access to land as a major barrier for youth, particularly in regions like Trarza and peri-urban zones. High lease costs and competition from large investors make it difficult for young agripreneurs to secure farmland. This challenge is compounded by limited access to financial capital, which further restricts youth participation in agriculture.

Institutional and administrative barriers were also noted. In areas like Boghé, participants observed that large areas of land remain idle under third-party control, while motivated youth struggle to gain access. Inaccessible irrigation infrastructure and a lack of transparency in land lease processes were cited as key governance challenges limiting land use and agricultural productivity.

The workshop brought forward a set of actional proposals to shape more inclusive land and water policies.
One key solution focused on restoring soil health and improving water access. Participants proposed a participatory soil assessment initiative to map salinity and pollution, coupled with targeted subsidies for organic soil inputs such as compost and manure. To improve water efficiency, training on drip irrigation and low-pressure sprinkler systems was also recommended.

To ensure transparent and fair land access, youth suggested creating municipal observatories to monitor and publish real-time data on land lease pricing. These observatories would produce public quarterly reports, helping reduce speculation and bring transparency to the land market.  They also proposed establishing youth-focused land exchanges and agripreneur incubators, with tax incentives for landowners offering long-term leases to young farmers.

Youth also called for unlocking idle lands and modernizing payment systems. A land audit in areas like Boghé would identify unused plots for reallocation, with enforcement of land utilization clauses in lease agreements. The use of digital payment systems with built-in penalties for delays was recommended to simplify transactions. Local land mediation committees - with youth, traditional leaders and government representatives were proposed to strengthen inclusive decision-making.

The workshop underscored the power of youth-led dialogue in driving policy reform. The Chapter will continue to advocate for these solutions across national and global platforms, ensuring youth remain at the center of agrifood systems transformation.