Increasing the participation of youth in agriculture could be an important means of improving food security, youth livelihoods and employment in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). High rates of rural-urban migration, high levels of youth unemployment, ageing farmer populations and increased dependency on imported food prompted the Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Policy Network (PAFPNet) and its Secretariat, the Land Resources Division (LRD) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the SPC Human Development Programme to examine the role played by different actors in helping young people to participate in agricultural activities and enterprises. This was emphasized as an issue requiring urgent attention by governments, non-governmental organisations, regional agencies and development partners during the meeting of ministers and heads of agriculture and forestry in Apia, Samoa in September 2008.

BACKGROUND

Increasing the participation of youth in agriculture could be an important means of improving food security, youth livelihoods and employment in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). High rates of rural-urban migration, high levels of youth unemployment, ageing farmer populations and increased dependency on imported food prompted the Pacific Agriculture and Forestry Policy Network (PAFPNet) and its Secretariat, the Land Resources Division (LRD) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the SPC Human Development Programme to examine the role played by different actors in helping young people to participate in agricultural activities and enterprises. This was emphasized as an issue requiring urgent attention by governments, non-governmental organisations, regional agencies and development partners during the meeting of ministers and heads of agriculture and forestry in Apia, Samoa in September 2008.

The purpose of the Youth in Agriculture strategy is to recommend actions and initiatives that all stakeholders can pursue to encourage the active engagement of youth in agriculture across the region. The Youth in Agriculture strategy was presented and launched at the Fourth Regional Meeting of Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (HOAFS) that was held early September, 2010 in the Fiji Islands. As part of the strategy development process, sessions on youth in agriculture were held at the Pacific Youth Festival in 2009 and field work was conducted in three countries (Fiji, Kiribati and Tonga) to inform the strategy recommendations.


PURPOSE OF HOLDING A CONSULTATION ON THE PACIFIC YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY

  • To seek views on the recommendations made to increase youth participation in agriculture in the Pacific
  • To ensure that the findings and recommendations are relevant and representative
  • To collect further examples of successful case studies with good potential for replication

Field work has only been conducted in three countries and inputs on the ‘Draft Pacific Youth in Agriculture strategy’ were requested to donors and stakeholders including interested parties – in particular young people.

A half-day meeting in Suva on Thursday 8th July (1.30pm – 5.30pm). A big Vinaka vakalevu to all those that took time out to attend and also gave their views which was highly appreciated.

An essay  contest for young people was launched as part of the consultation process, please visit the following link for the:

Winning Pacific Youth in Agriculture Essays


THE YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY WAS LAUNCHED AT THE 'FOURTH REGIONAL MEETING OF HEADS OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SERVICES (HOAFS)' MEETING THAT WAS HELD ON THE 14TH TO THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2010, IN THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Pacific Youth in Agriculture Strategy 2011-2015

Reclaiming Agriculture for Pacific Youths

Challenging the perception among Pacific Youths that farming is not a worthy career (UNDP/SPC-LRD Press Release)

Consolidated response from Youths in Agriculture can be accessed on this Link.

For any more information concerning the "Pacific Youth in Agriculture strategy" please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">


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