APFP-FO4A Regional Wrap-Up:Panel Discussion on Youth

Documentation
APFP-FO4A Regional Wrap-Up
Panel Discussion on Youth
Theme: Youth, Research & Innovation: Driving Sustainable and Resilient Agri-Systems
25 February, 2026 | Jakarta, Indonesia

I. Rationale

Agriculture in Asia is undergoing rapid change, driven by climate variability, market pressures, and the need for more sustainable and productive food systems. At the same time, the sector faces an ageing farmer population and declining youth participation. Engaging youth in agricultural research and innovation is therefore critical, not only to renew the workforce, but to introduce new skills, technologies, and approaches that can improve productivity, resilience, and incomes.

This session will focus on sharing practical approaches and successful experiences that have effectively engaged youth in agricultural research and innovation across Asia. It will highlight concrete examples such as youth led applied research, agribusiness and agri-tech innovations, climate smart and digital agriculture solutions, and initiatives that link young people with research institutions, extension services, farmer organizations, and the private sector. The emphasis will be on approaches that translate research into practice and enable youth to contribute meaningfully along the agricultural value chain.

II. Objectives

1. Addressing Agricultural Challenges through Youth focused Research and Innovation. Share research, innovation, and youth focused program experiences / best practices that address key agricultural challenges, including productivity, climate risk, post-harvest losses, and market access.
2. Scaling Youth-Led Innovations for Adoption, Impact, and Livelihood Creation. Highlight how youth led and youth engaging innovations support adoption and scaling at farm and community levels while creating viable livelihoods.
3. Advancing Agricultural Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems in Asia. Showcase innovative approaches, technologies and practices that modernize agriculture and strengthen sustainable food systems in Asia.

III. Key Highlights of the Presentation

Presentation 1 : Laos Farmer Association (LFA)
Presenter: Phoutthasone Phengvilai & Phoutthasinh Phimmachanh

Key Highlights

• Youth under 40 are actively considered in agricultural planning.
• Limited access to cash income and seasonal farming drive youth to urban employment.
• Farming is perceived as low-profit; youth seek immediate income.
• High interest in technology and innovation.

Recommendations

• Develop long-term, systemic policies and business support for young farmers
• Change family and societal mindsets to encourage youth participation.
• Integrate youth engagement into agricultural development plans and research initiatives.
• Leverage technology and innovation to make farming attractive.

Presentation 2: Kasekor Samaki Rong Roeung Agricultural Cooperative (Cambodia)
Presenter: Sokkhai Chhit & Vuthy Ung

Key Highlights

• Government: Policies and programs providing technical training, capital, market support, infrastructure, and risk management.
• Development Partners: Build youth capacity, support youth networks for learning and advocacy.
• Private Sector: Strengthen technical skills, market linkages, and access to finance.
• Cooperatives: Encourage youth in leadership and decision-making, withcash or in-kind incentives.

Presentation 3: Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Limited ( NACCFL)
Presenter: Kajol Bajracharya

Key Highlights

• Research and innovation guided by market demand and cooperative feedback.
• Innovations tested through cooperative field pilots before scaling.
• Partnerships with universities, FAO, IFAD, and research institutions ensure solutions are context-specific.
• Youth trained in agri-enterprise, climate-smart and agroecological practices, and linked to finance, technology, and markets.
• Cooperative networks enable nationwide scaling of innovations.

Recommendations

• Build FO capacity in market analysis, business planning, and value chain management.
• Provide youth-focused training in agri-enterprise, climate-smart practices, and leadership.
• Link youth with finance, technology providers, and buyers.
• Scale successful innovations through cooperative networks.

Summary:

Across Asia, effective youth engagement combines leadership opportunities, skills development, market-oriented training, and multi-stakeholder support. Governments, development partners, private sector actors, and cooperatives each play critical roles in providing resources, incentives, and platforms that attract and retain youth in agriculture. Technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship emerge as key levers to make agriculture both profitable and appealing to young people, ensuring sustainable and scalable impact.

III. Plenary Discussion: Questions and Responses

During the open forum, participants raised several questions related to youth participation in agriculture, market incentives, land access, and cooperative models. Panelists and participants from different countries shared experiences and possible solutions.

Question 1: Encouraging Youth Participation in Agriculture

A participant from Indonesia noted that many organizations showcase good practices in youth engagement; however, interest among young farmers is declining. Are there effective strategies to accelerate adoption of these best practices and increase youth awareness and participation? It was also noted that government subsidies heavily support inorganic inputs, while support for organic and sustainable farming is limited.

Responses

Laos

• Youth engagement requires a long-term, systemic approach.
• Governments should develop specific policies and business support programs to encourage young farmers to return to agriculture.
• A major challenge is the perception among families and society that farming is not a desirable career. Parents and schools often discourage children from pursuing agriculture.
• Addressing this requires changing mindsets at family, community, and institutional levels.
• Youth strategies should be integrated into long-term agricultural development plans and research initiatives.

Nepal

• Many countries face similar challenges, and there is no quick solution to attract or retain youth in agriculture.
• Current initiatives focus on involving youth in climate-smart agriculture technologies that can be replicated across farming communities.
• Agriculture should also be linked with financial service providers and support systems, including agricultural insurance and access to inputs.
• Youth need stable market opportunities, fair prices, and access to both national and global markets.
• Nepal remains optimistic, as many young people are still engaged in agriculture and finding value in it.
• Training programs and capacity-building packages are being developed to make agriculture more attractive to youth.

Vietnam

• Political and economic contexts can influence agricultural development and youth engagement.
• Governments need to support local agricultural products and markets.
• Establishing national databases and information systems can help guide agricultural production and market planning.
• Data and information on local products and market demand are important to support informed decision-making by farmers.

Question 2: Lessons and Suggestions for Youth Engagement

The participant from Nepal shared reflections rather than a direct question, highlighting that many countries face similar challenges related to migration and declining youth engagement in agriculture.

The following were key suggestions given by the participant:

• Different countries have developed innovative models and technologies that can be shared and replicated.
• Cooperative models can be an effective approach to strengthen youth participation.Agricultural development strategies should be market-driven, ensuring effective market systems that support farmers.
• Digital platforms can help link cooperatives with other cooperatives or business partners.
• Another promising approach is the cooperative-to-business model, which connects farmer cooperatives with agribusiness enterprises to create more sustainable agricultural systems.

Question 3: Family Influence on Youth Migration

A participant from Pakistan asked whether family decisions are a key factor influencing youth migration from rural areas to cities.

Responses:

• Economic incentives are crucial; when farming is profitable, families and youth are more willing to remain in agriculture.
• Modernizing agriculture and increasing income can change perceptions about farming.
• Example: parents supporting a child’s education in agriculture with the promise of providing land upon completion encourages youth to pursue farming.
• Key message: Incentives and profitability are essential to attracting youth back to agriculture.

Question 4: Addressing Small Landholdings and Pesticide Use

A participant from Pakistan asked how small landholdings and pesticide use can be addressed through research and innovation.

Response (Nepal):

• Nepal has initiated cooperative farming models where farmers combine their small landholdings into a collective farming system.
• Through cooperative land pooling, farmers can use modern machinery and improved technologies more efficiently.
• Active and proactive cooperatives are essential to manage these collective systems and support agricultural innovation.

Question 5: Encouraging Youth to Join the Agricultural Sector

A participant from the Philippines asked what practical measures can encourage youth to enter and remain in agriculture.

Responses

Laos:

• Financial incentives are critical. Two major mechanisms are used: Low-interest loans to help youth start agricultural businesses. Matching grants (approximately USD 750 per person) to support youth-led agricultural projects.

Cambodia:

• Focus on capacity-building programs for young farmers.
• Youth are encouraged to join farmer cooperatives, and membership opportunities are extended even to non-members to increase youth participation.

AFA Staff (Lany):

• Land rights are a major issue for youth farmers. Access to land remains difficult, especially for young people.
• Approaches being explored include: Inheritance systems that enable land transfer from parents to youth.
• Cooperative land systems, where youth can access shared land for farming.
• Government-supported collective land access programs for young farmers.

AFA Staff (Junie)

• Establishing learning hubs where youth can gain practical agricultural skills and knowledge.

Question 6: Youth Participation in Cooperatives

A participant from Bangladesh noted that although youth interest in cooperatives is growing, many cooperatives are not youth-led.

Responses:

Nepal – Cooperatives are encouraged to include youth members in leadership structures, including a designated percentage of youth representation in the Board of Directors.

Pakistan – Some cooperatives have created youth committees to promote youth participation and leadership within cooperative organizations.

IV. Synthesis by Junie

Key Insights: Youth Engagement in Farmer Organizations

Youth Empowerment within Farmer Organizations: Initiatives should begin within cooperatives and national farmer organizations (NFOs) by entrusting meaningful roles and responsibilities to youth and actively investing in their skills, leadership, and decision-making capacity.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Effective youth engagement requires collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, academia, and the private sector to provide comprehensive technical, financial, and institutional support.

Strong Support Systems: Well-established mechanisms—such as financial incentives, practical training, mentorship, and access to resources—are essential to sustain youth participation and involvement in agriculture.

Economic Impact as Motivation: Demonstrating that agriculture can be economically viable and profitable is a key motivator for youth to remain in the sector and pursue agricultural careers.

Additional Announcements

The Young Farmers’ Coalition of Asia (YFCA) encouraged youth participation with the message: “Young Farmers, stand up and lead!”

Participants were reminded to confirm National Youth Committee representatives, consisting of 1 male, 1 female, and an interpreter if needed. The next YFCA meeting is anticipated around August–September.

V. Synthesis following Panel Discussion Guide Questions

Panel Discussion Question
1. What would success look like for youth integration in agriculture 5–10 years from now?

Summary Response

Participants emphasized that success would mean agriculture becoming a viable and attractive livelihood for young people. Youth would have better access to income opportunities, land, finance, and markets, allowing them to participate meaningfully in farming and agribusiness. The discussion highlighted the importance of making farming more profitable and stable, as irregular income and limited financial independence often push youth to migrate to cities. Success would also involve greater use of technology, digital tools, and modern farming practices, which align with young people’s interests and skills. In addition, youth would be more actively involved in farmer organizations, cooperatives, and agricultural leadership, ensuring that their perspectives shape the future of agriculture.

2. From the perspective of Farmer Organizations (FOs), how will innovation and technology reshape agricultural production, value chains, and services in the next 5–10 years?

Farmer organizations highlighted that innovation and technology will play a major role in modernizing agriculture and making it more attractive to young people. The discussion noted growing youth interest in digital tools, mobile applications, and modern agricultural equipment, which can improve farm productivity and efficiency. Technologies such as climate-smart agriculture practices, improved seed systems, mechanization, and digital platforms are expected to strengthen production systems and help farmers respond to climate risks. Farmer organizations also emphasized their role in connecting farmers with research institutions, training programs, and innovation initiatives, ensuring that technologies are practical, locally adapted, and accessible to smallholder farmers. These innovations are expected to improve value chain linkages, market access, and agricultural services over the next decade.

3. How can research and innovation programs better integrate youth to drive sustainable, market-oriented agriculture in Asia?

The panel discussion highlighted that research and innovation programs should create practical opportunities for youth engagement, including training, applied research, and innovation initiatives that directly address farmers’ challenges. Strengthening partnerships between farmer organizations, research institutions, extension services, and development partners was identified as essential to translating research into practice. Programs should also focus on climate-smart technologies, digital agriculture, and market-oriented production systems, which can make agriculture more attractive and economically viable for youth. Participants also emphasized the importance of capacity building, access to finance, and supportive policies to enable young people to participate in agricultural value chains and develop sustainable agribusiness opportunities.