From March 27 to 29, young leaders in agrobiodiversity issues from different regions of the country met in the city of Lima to share their knowledge and experiences, as well as to develop a plan that will allow them to give continuity to the Youth Network for Agrobiodiversity, promoted by the GEF Agrobiodiversity GIAHS project.
This network, which began under the name of “Red de Jóvenes Agricultores” (Young Farmers’ Network), has now become the “Red de Jóvenes por la Agrobiodiversidad” (Youth Network for Agrobiodiversity) in response to the serious problem of abandonment of the countryside and loss of agrobiodiversity that is occurring in the different agricultural regions of the country. As a result, the network brings together young university students, chefs, marketers, entrepreneurs and other advocates of agrobiodiversity conservation, who seek to promote sustainable development in our food system, with the countryside as a fundamental axis.
During the training process, young people with communication skills were identified, who despite the limitations of access and connection in their regions, have shown great effort to publicize the activities they carry out in their communities. These young people received training in communications that will enable them to make their needs and actions for the recovery of agrobiodiversity products more visible.
During the meeting, Yuliana Castro, Manager of Communications and Corporate Affairs of Profonanpe, shared with the attendees the organization’s experience in disseminating projects in digital channels and traditional media such as print, television and radio. She also stressed the importance of involving more young people in telling their own stories and promoting agrobiodiversity conservation in all regions of the country.
During the youth meeting, several activities were carried out focused on strengthening community leadership. One of them was the elaboration of a map of stakeholders and main assets of their respective communities, with the objective of identifying the resources and capacities they have for the development of projects. In addition, tools were provided for the training of leaders, where the topic of communication for development was addressed together with the facilitators of the GEF-Agrobiodiversity-GIAHS Project.
Also present was Guadalupe Benavente, communicator of the GIAHS Project, who shared her experience and knowledge on the subject. All this, together, allowed the young people to acquire skills and tools to lead initiatives in their communities and promote sustainable development.
The regional meetings of young farmers have been a replica of the SISAY meetings, organized every two years by the Slow Food Volunteer Network in Peru. These spaces were conceived as a meeting place and exchange of experiences for young people dedicated to agriculture, agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable food from different roles such as farmers, producers, agronomists, transnational corporations, and other organizations.
About the GEF Agrobiodiversity GIAHS Project
The GEF Agrobiodiversity GIAHS project seeks to conserve agrobiodiversity in the localities of Acora (Puno), Huayana (Apurimac), Lares (Cusco), Laria (Huancavelica) and Atiquipa (Arequipa), through traditional agricultural systems, integrated management of forests, water and land resources, and the maintenance of ecosystem services.
This initiative is financed by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), executed by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, with the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the administration of Profonanpe.
