Bagsakan Kabataan, Upscaling Youth-Led Agroecological Fairs
Bagsakan Kabataan is a Youth-led agroecological fairs initiated by NNARA-Youth and its partner farmer organizations and allies have been promoting healthy diets in urban areas, helping organic farmers reach wider consumers, and engaging more young people in agriculture and climate action.
By mobilizing the vigor of young people, youth-led agroecological fairs are more engaging, creative, and culturally rich. These organic and sustainable farmer markets also combine Filipino ingenuity and technology to sustain and develop links between producers, consumers, and young advocates.
Through this project, NNARA-Youth can catalyze youth action in more cities and rural areas in the Philippines to develop and sustain local agroecological fairs and farmer markets.
Vulnerability to climate change impacts of Filipino Farmers
The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the agriculture sector, which employs a significant proportion of the population, is particularly vulnerable. Climate change has caused extreme weather events, such as typhoons, floods, and droughts, which have resulted in crop damage, economic losses, and food insecurity. The changes in temperature and rainfall patterns also affect the growing seasons and yields of crops and the health and reproduction of livestock. The resulting economic losses further exacerbate poverty among small-scale farmers, who rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Youth and Farmer-led Solutions
One way to address this vulnerability is to promote nature-positive, agroecological farming practices, which can be used as both a climate adaptation and mitigation strategy.
Agroecological practices promote the integration of ecological principles into agricultural production, resulting in more sustainable and resilient farming systems. Agroecological practices can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and promote healthier and more affordable diets for Filipinos.
Furthermore, agroecological farming practices can contribute to food security and sustainable livelihoods by promoting local food systems and empowering small-scale farmers. Agroecological farming practices prioritize the use of locally available resources, reducing dependence on external inputs and enhancing local self-reliance.
At the same time, agroecological fairs are becoming increasingly popular in many parts of the world. These platforms provide an opportunity for farmers to sell their products directly to consumers, creating a more equitable and sustainable food system. However, the establishment and sustainability of these markets require significant efforts from local communities, including youth groups.
Therefore, the project aims to catalyze youth action in developing and sustaining local agroecological fairs and farmer markets in more cities and rural areas in the Philippines. The project seeks to engage and mobilize urban and rural youth to lead local initiatives and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. By creating opportunities for youth groups to lead and sustain agroecological fairs and farmer markets, the project seeks to promote nature-positive agroecological farming practices and raise public awareness and engagement on climate change, actions, adaptation, and mitigation.
The expected outcomes of this project include the establishment of new agroecological fairs and farmer markets in more cities and rural areas in the Philippines, the increased adoption of agroecological farming practices, and the promotion of sustainable and equitable food systems. The project also aims to empower youth groups by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources to lead local initiatives and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.
Overall, the project aims to address the vulnerability of the agriculture sector to the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development in the Philippines. By promoting agroecological farming practices, the project seeks to contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation, food security, and sustainable livelihoods while raising public awareness and engagement on climate change, actions, adaptation, and mitigation. The project’s focus on youth action recognizes the critical role of youth in driving sustainable development and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these initiatives.