ROLE OF YOUNG FARMERS IN FAMILY FARMING

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

BY MARIA LUISA GAVINO

(WOCAN)

SETTING THE STAGE

Sixty percent of the world’s rural population is made up of the youth, with ½ of them being young women and girls & nicely put “rural youth today, farmers tomorrow” ref. IFAD 4th Global Farmers’ Forum, 2012.

The Philippines is basically an agricultural country and would belong to where 85% are family farmers.

The situation of today’s youth shows rural to urban migration. In the Philippines, its more than urban migration but immigration for better opportunities abroad.

INNOVATION AND PREPAREDNESS The Philippines has abundant fields with

nearby white sand beaches. The country caters to tourists, both local and foreign.

The trend has been that the family farms is to produce for the tourists (Agro-tourism).

This augments the family’s income and there is an incentive for the young farmer to innovate, compete and comply with quality standards.

SUSTAINABLE & STRATEGIC POLICY INTERVENTIONS

Profitable economic opportunity and attractive and enabling environment

Youth have to be active participants in farmers’ organizations or be organized themselves

Support to producer cooperatives Zoning intervention Agro-ecological education

SUSTAINABLE & STRATEGIC POLICY INTERVENTION (CONT’D.)

More of national, regional and global thematic events focused on the youth

Psychological support and start-up assistance to displaced family farm members

GOOD POLICY &BEST PRACTICE Task Force Mapalad, a national federation of

farmers, farm workers and individuals for land tenure, farm productivity and enterprise development

Youth are a special target esp. in linkages to markets, in Farmer Field Schools and farm technology trainings

2,149 graduates in last 5 years Support to youth engaged in enterprise

development activities, eg. Sugar-cane processing

MESSAGE TO IYFF

MARGINALIZED WOMEN AND YOUTH SHOULD BE MADE TO PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES IN THE LOCAL LEVEL AND

BE REPRESENTED IN THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL AGRO-ECOLOGICAL FORA.

INVEST ON YOUNG FARMERS TODAY FOR TOMORROW’S FOOD SECURITY

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY