The International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) young farmers’ congress and

NFF study tour was an initiative of the National Farmers Federation supported by agricultural

industries and associated sponsors. The NFF is the Australian member organisation to IFAP

along with 150 other producing countries.

Australian agriculture is not alone in looking for strategies to encourage young people to

consider agriculture as a rewarding career choice. The NFF see this as one of their most

important strategies moving forward to ensure agriculture continues to renew with building

effective leaders for tomorrows agriculture.

Facilitating young farmers to enter agriculture is one of the nine priorities of IFAP’s Strategic

Plan. Also, one of the 10 principles of the World Farmers Charter adopted in Seoul (2006) is

to address the special needs of women farmers and young farmers.

The Congress gave the opportunity to make progress on these commitments, giving special

attention to questions of transmitting farm holdings between generations and to encouraging

young people to enter farming as a career. Young farmers’ points of view are also critical to

follow up local, regional and international issues, and to contribute to the IFAP policy work.

The following points;

Strengthening and effectiveness of young farmers’ groups or associations,

Renewal of farmer’s generations,

Climate change and risk management,

Update on the WTO negotiations & its influence on the young farmers.