1. KEY CHALLENGES FOR YOUNG FARMERS By Kati Partanen, President of IFAP Young Farmers’ Committee Brussels, June 16th 2010

2. MY BACKGROUND Farmer (pig meat, cereals, horses and forestry)
President of IFAP
Young Farmers’
Committee
Substitute Principal
Lecturer in Savonia University of Applied Sciences (

3. International Federation of Agricultural Producers
Representing about 120 family farmers’ organizations from 80 countries
Both from developed and developing countries
Brings farmers from all over the world together to make their voice heard and to exchange 3

4. IFAP Young Farmers’ Committee
Members from all continents
Annual meetings
Every four years World Young Farmers’ Congress, next in July 2011 in Kenya
Board : President (Finland) and three vice presidents (from Uruguay, Kenya and France) 4

5. ACTIONS TO HELP YOUNG FARMERS 1. Profitability
Agriculture has to be profitable all over the world
It has to be possible to make a living with agriculture
 seeing agriculture as an attractive business and positive investment
Tools for young people to help their farms to be profitable
 education
 support
 advisory systems

6. ACTIONS TO HELP YOUNG FARMERS 2. Access to production facilities
Credit
Land
Training and education
Technology
ICT’s
Markets
Etc.

7. ACTIONS TO HELP YOUNG FARMERS 3. Decision making
Young farmers are professionals in agriculture and they want to be treated that way
 involving young farmers in decision making

8. ACTIONS TO HELP YOUNG FARMERS 4. Investing in agriculture
Encouraging governments to make long term investments in agriculture
 giving a positive signal about agriculture

9. ACTIONS TO HELP YOUNG FARMERS 5. Capacity building
Strengthening young farmers’ ability to be organized
Capacity building in YF’s organizations and networks
 real exchange between young farmers from all over the world
Stronger communication between young farmers  e.g. social media as a tool to bring young farmers together
Increasing awareness of decision-makers and public at large

10. “FARMING FIRST” www.farmingfirst.org
A Call for Action
The framework highlights six interlinked imperatives for sustainable development.
Safeguard natural resources
Share knowledge
Build local access and capacity
Protect harvests
Enable access to markets
Prioritize research imperatives
CropLife International
IFAP
International Council for Science (ICSU)
IFA

11. Thank you for your attention
Thank you for your attention
… the farmers’ voice at the world level