Youth Forum for Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector

Youth Forum for Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector

Narrative summary:

The Youth Forum for Fostering Youth Participation in the Agri-Fishery Sector, held on November 14-15, 2024, at L’ Meridian Suites, Zamboanga City, aimed to engage young individuals in agriculture and fisheries by facilitating mindset change, promoting active participation, and demonstrating their role in the agri-fishery value chain. The two-day forum provided opportunities for youth to learn, share experiences, and develop skills that empower them to contribute meaningfully to sustainable and innovative agri-fishery practices in their communities.

Day 1 Sessions:
Fishery Situation in Sulu: Overview of processing, storage, training programs, and income-enhancing opportunities for fisherfolk.
Advocating Youth Engagement in Policy: Introduction to the Magna Carta for young farmers, promoting rights, opportunities, and representation in decision-making.
Youth Success Stories in Agri-Fishery: Highlighted profitable careers in agriculture and fisheries, inspiring youth as innovators and entrepreneurs.
Policy Engagement Benefits: Emphasized the importance of youth participation in policy-making to foster inclusive and innovative solutions.

Workshop 1: Participants were grouped by province to create “Future Agriland,” envisioning sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, technologies, and policies to address climate change, food security, and rural development. Outputs were presented and shared.

Day 2 Sessions:
Youth Engagement in Climate Change Mitigation: Highlighted the youth’s role in promoting sustainable practices, innovative solutions, and long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.
Skill-Building Workshop on Sustainable Agri-Fishery Practices: Participants created a “gardenator” to apply learned techniques, enhancing practical skills in agriculture and fisheries.

Individual Workshop: Participants answered reflection questions on meta cards to identify actionable steps for youth engagement in agri-fishery.

Ways Forward:
Youth participants expressed interest in forming youth organizations advocating for agri-fishery in Lamitan and pursuing partnerships, such as with “Kids Who Farm.”
Participants from BaSulTa requested more training programs to further develop youth skills and involvement in the sector.