Youth-led agroecological fairs from Communities to Universities
In the past two years, NNARA-Youth and its partners — farmer and rural women’s organizations, universities, and entrepreneurs — have been leading agroecological fairs in Metro Manila.
These one- to two-day agroecological fairs called “Bagsakan” have supported farmers from Bulacan and Laguna during the height of COVID-19 by connecting them with consumers. Using social media and building on the advocacy networks of NNARA-Youth, farmers who come to Bagsakan receive advance and assured orders that are bought above farmgate prices.
During the height of the lockdown and the rising food prices at its heels, farmers from Bagsakan set up and supported multiple community pantries to provide free and healthy food in urban poor communities.
More than a pop-up market, these youth-led agroecological fairs also include sharing sessions between youth, consumers, and farmers on food, land, and human rights issues, urban gardening, and climate action. Cultural presentations are also a highlight of these fairs, including songs, poetry, and theater plays.
Last year, more farmers from other nearby provinces participated in these agroecological fairs, and, each time, they went home with better outcomes and were more convinced of the need to develop nature-positive sustainable agriculture.