LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – For five days, delegates from various countries in the Asia-Pacific had the opportunity to participate in activities aimed at strengthening young farmers’ engagement in various networks for agriculture to contribute to safe, just, and resilient food communities.
Organized by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), International Cooperative Alliance- Asia Pacific, and the Pacific Farmers Organisation (PFO), the First Asia-Pacific Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics (YFCA) gathered over 100 young farmers, fishers, pastoralists, and forest-users—expected to play a significant role in championing sustainable agriculture, encouraging agricultural innovations, creating linkages, and promoting agriculture as a viable career.
From August 12 to 16, the University of the Philippine Los Baños became a melting pot for the YFCA. Delegates rejoiced over cultural diversity and unity for agriculture as they participated in the Parade of Nations, cauldron-lighting to mark its kick-off, and in multiple hands-on workshops on crucial topics such as organic and digital agriculture, as well as forestry management.
The activity also provided them opportunities to build a network, showcase their innovations, and pitch their ideas for agricultural development, with the best pitches potentially receiving support from YFCA’s institutional partners.
As one of the co-organizers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) facilitated the knowledge market share fair which was intended to highlight groundbreaking initiatives, thriving agribusinesses, and impactful policies and advocacy efforts that mainstream the agricultural sector.
This YFCA was in response to the perceived pressing challenges in which younger generations are becoming less interested in farming due to various factors, as well as the impacts of climate change on the agriculture sector.
News by: Archie C. Linsasagin (with information from Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development)
