Press Releases

2nd World Congress of Young Farmers – July 26-282007

Today’s actions for tomorrow’s harvest

Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 26, 2007 – “What we do today will determine if family farming will still be there tomorrow. It is therefore critical to facilitate young people entering farming as a career and to make sure that they can stay in business” stated young farmers gathering in Buenos Aires at the 2nd World Congress of Young Farmers of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) the during Palermo rural show. Young farmers’ main concern is the sustainability of their profession. 

Under the theme “Today’s actions for tomorrow’s harvest”, 150 young farmers from more than 30 countries, will use this Congress as a force to push issues that are of specific concern to them. Choosing agriculture as a profession in the 21st century means: meeting growing quality and production standards, learning new technology and better farming practises to meet more stringent regulations, getting organised in markets that are increasingly dominated by large multinational companies, and fighting to keep public services in rural areas. If all young people could look forward to were uncertain incomes and lack of long-term viability of their businesses, there would be a growing number of young people leaving rural communities and moving into urban areas.

“Young people are known for their energy, dynamism and optimism.  We are not here just to discuss, we are here to make things move forward. Therefore we will discuss problems and together look for solutions that can be promoted through our farmers’ organisations structures and decision making processes” said the President of the IFAP Young Farmers’ Committee, Felix Grimau, who is also a member of the host organisations Ateneo de Jovenes and Sociedad Rural Argentina.

The issues addressed at this Congress highlight the main concerns of young farmers including: climate change, bio-energies, profitability, risk management and the WTO negotiations.  They are of special concern for them since they have a big impact on their future as farmers.  Young farmers are well aware that they must play an active role right now in local, national, regional and international policy-making if they want to make sure that policies in these areas meet their needs. They are determined to ensure the future for family agriculture and their profession in a globalized world.

“IFAP is strongly committed to young farmers as stated in its “World Farmers Charter” adopted in Seoul in 2006. In order to encourage young farmers to enter agriculture, particular attention needs to be given to questions of transmitting farm holdings between generations, and particular attention also needs to be given to facilitating young people entering farming as a career. This process requires cooperation between young farmers and older farmers, including transfer of local knowledge” stressed the IFAP President Jack Wilkinson. “It is young farmers who will guarantee food security and bio-energy security in the future. We must therefore strive even harder to make farming a worthwhile, remunerative occupation that attracts young people. Agriculture can only be sustainable if it ensures generational renewal,” added Wilkinson.

NOTE:

The IFAP Young Farmers’ Committee seeks to foster exchanges between young farmers the world over and their involvement in international problems. It also focuses on young farmers’ specific concerns.