Citywide Youth Forum on “Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector”

Citywide Youth Forum on “Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector”

The Citywide Youth Forum on “Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector,” held on August 19–20, 2025, at the Lamitan City Gymnasium in Lamitan City, gathered SK leaders, agriculture students, youth organizations, and youth farmers and fisherfolk in partnership with the city government and the WEE-SAFE Project to strengthen youth engagement in agriculture and fisheries. Over two days, participants explored the urgent need to involve young people in agri-fishery development, policy-making, and climate action, highlighting concerns about the aging farmer population and the importance of positioning agriculture as an innovative and viable career. Sessions emphasized youth roles in governance, disaster preparedness, and climate-smart practices in the Philippines, alongside hands-on workshops on compact farming, and organic inputs. Participants developed action plans, such as tree planting, sustainable fishing campaigns, and community agribusiness projects; committed to registering as agri-youth to access government support; and collectively advocated for reducing food waste and supporting local producers. The forum reinforced that youth are active drivers of a more technology-driven, climate-resilient, and sustainable agri-fishery sector, with strengthened partnerships and concrete commitments that advance inclusive development in the community.