To all the Pacific Youths (and beyond)...
Too much has been said and so much has been done for you guys...
Its high time now to get kicking....
To really give agriculture a positive boost...we need you all to make it YOUR priority...
Smart and innovative thinking + farming = big money....
Just have to take up the opportunity...
It starts right at home and then continues through school...give agriculture a chance and find out for yourself...how 'cool' it is..!!
Not so cool to "COOL"...Prioritizing Agriculture..
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
This is what Miriama Brown from Fiji has to say...
LAZINESS, PEER PRESSURE …
In Fiji nowadays most youths are more interested in their bowl of 'grog' then providing for their family (and this is honestly happening in my community). The rate of unemployment today is way higher than 5 years ago. Being a banker or admin personnel (no offense) is a much more admired profession then getting your hands dirty (and this is what agriculture is known to be about i.e. farming). But we are ignorant to the fact that the land is our livelihood (we cannot live without it - can we??). Elders, parents, community leaders, etc. should be the first to go back to the land - NOW!
POLITICAL
If the government themselves advocate or become more vocal on 'agriculture' then their people will follow. It is how we advertise 'agriculture' that matters. Like you mention Ritz agriculture is more than just farming. Be more vocal on the other interesting aspects of agriculture and how not only can it bring riches to their lives, it can safe our environment as well.
There are so many reasons why ‘agriculture’ is unappealing to many people esp. youths nowadays.
So we should really concentrate on the question ‘how can we make ‘agriculture’ appealing to our modern day youths?
Agriculture is COOL! – You have to believe it yourself so others can too
In Fiji nowadays most youths are more interested in their bowl of 'grog' then providing for their family (and this is honestly happening in my community). The rate of unemployment today is way higher than 5 years ago. Being a banker or admin personnel (no offense) is a much more admired profession then getting your hands dirty (and this is what agriculture is known to be about i.e. farming). But we are ignorant to the fact that the land is our livelihood (we cannot live without it - can we??). Elders, parents, community leaders, etc. should be the first to go back to the land - NOW!
POLITICAL
If the government themselves advocate or become more vocal on 'agriculture' then their people will follow. It is how we advertise 'agriculture' that matters. Like you mention Ritz agriculture is more than just farming. Be more vocal on the other interesting aspects of agriculture and how not only can it bring riches to their lives, it can safe our environment as well.
There are so many reasons why ‘agriculture’ is unappealing to many people esp. youths nowadays.
So we should really concentrate on the question ‘how can we make ‘agriculture’ appealing to our modern day youths?
Agriculture is COOL! – You have to believe it yourself so others can too
Creating Awareness...
What can we do to create awareness...???
The following are some suggestion...
Families and communities must promote the establishment of young farmers’ clubs, which can provide a way for young people to share experiences, support each other and socialise.
Governments and partners must hold agricultural shows in both urban and rural areas to promote the importance of the agriculture sector, emphasising local produce and traditional agriculture methods and techniques.
Governments and partners must make an effort to showcase youth success stories, including the development of awards targeting young farmers or youth groups.
Governments and partners must engage the media in disseminating positive messages about the importance of agriculture and the opportunities it offers, and showcase success stories of young men and women farmers. Appropriate champions (e.g. sport and media personalities) should be used to deliver such messages.
The following are some suggestion...
Families and communities must promote the establishment of young farmers’ clubs, which can provide a way for young people to share experiences, support each other and socialise.
Governments and partners must hold agricultural shows in both urban and rural areas to promote the importance of the agriculture sector, emphasising local produce and traditional agriculture methods and techniques.
Governments and partners must make an effort to showcase youth success stories, including the development of awards targeting young farmers or youth groups.
Governments and partners must engage the media in disseminating positive messages about the importance of agriculture and the opportunities it offers, and showcase success stories of young men and women farmers. Appropriate champions (e.g. sport and media personalities) should be used to deliver such messages.
What the Governments can do...???
Governments and educational providers must work together to promote positive perceptions about the agriculture sector throughout the formal and informal education system beginning at the primary
school level. Teachers must be given appropriate teacher training and materials to stimulate interest in the agriculture sector from an early age. This must include the development of practical agricultural
skills.
Governments must review the agriculture curriculum regularly to ensure it remains relevant and includes the development of practical and entrepreneurial skills. Young farmers should be asked
to provide students with information about career opportunities in the agriculture sector.
Education and training providers must take a holistic approach to agricultural education including empowering young people to take control of their future and develop the full range of skills (cultural, technical, entrepreneurial, managerial) necessary for a career in agriculture. They must work with families and communities to identify the support they need to provide to young people, such as giving them access to land, to enable them to develop as career farmers.
Governments and partners must ensure that appropriate scholarships are available to enable young people to undertake tertiary study in agriculture.
Religious institutions, governments and NGOs must work with youth groups and communities to identify their educational and training needs and support them in meeting these needs.
Governments and partners should establish mechanisms through which all educational providers (state, private, formal, informal, NGOs) in the agriculture sector can exchange views and information on agricultural education and training.
(Adopted in part from Youth in Agriculture Strategy, 2011 - 2015)
school level. Teachers must be given appropriate teacher training and materials to stimulate interest in the agriculture sector from an early age. This must include the development of practical agricultural
skills.
Governments must review the agriculture curriculum regularly to ensure it remains relevant and includes the development of practical and entrepreneurial skills. Young farmers should be asked
to provide students with information about career opportunities in the agriculture sector.
Education and training providers must take a holistic approach to agricultural education including empowering young people to take control of their future and develop the full range of skills (cultural, technical, entrepreneurial, managerial) necessary for a career in agriculture. They must work with families and communities to identify the support they need to provide to young people, such as giving them access to land, to enable them to develop as career farmers.
Governments and partners must ensure that appropriate scholarships are available to enable young people to undertake tertiary study in agriculture.
Religious institutions, governments and NGOs must work with youth groups and communities to identify their educational and training needs and support them in meeting these needs.
Governments and partners should establish mechanisms through which all educational providers (state, private, formal, informal, NGOs) in the agriculture sector can exchange views and information on agricultural education and training.
(Adopted in part from Youth in Agriculture Strategy, 2011 - 2015)
changing the mindset...
“From a young age we have been programmed to think that a job in town or a job in an office is the ultimate aim... that should change... it should be promoted that agriculture is a noble profession whether you are a farmer, bio-security officer, in the ministry or an extension officer'' ...
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