Giving Compass' Take:

• Evan Gravely discusses the good and bad of migration and how it connects to rural and agricultural development, inequality and environmental crises. 

• How can the government and larger cities be more receptive to migrants and help them succeed? On the other hand, how can rural areas work on providing the means necessary for a better life?

• Read stories directly from migrants and refugees. 


Between 2000 and 2017, the total number of international migrants increased from 173 million to 258 million, and as many as 25 million are refugees who left their countries to escape conflicts and other crises.

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s 2018 State of Food and Agriculture report, however, most migration isn’t a crisis—it’s a product of, and a solution for, persistent inequalities. As some societies get richer while others get poorer, people move to access better opportunities for themselves and their families.

“The FAO’s mandate is closely linked to development, and when it comes to development, migration cannot be ignored,” says Andrea Cattaneo, a senior economist with the FAO, in an interview with Food Tank.

But the benefits of migration are not universal. Just as migration can reduce inequalities, it can create more problems for those who say goodbye. According to the FAO, better policies are needed to maximize migration’s opportunities while reducing its harmful effects.

Read the full article on rural migration by Evan Gravely at Food Tank.