I am Randy Cirio, a young farmer leader in Bula, Camarines Sur, Philippines. At the age of 13, I’ve already started working on the farm to assist my parents. Our struggle to reclaim the ownership of our land was highlighted in 2008 when we staged a historic 444-kilometer walk from Bula to Malacanang.
The majority of farmers are still landless and lack the resources needed. This is the reason why most of our young farmers here in my community are no longer interested in farming. We cannot see and secure our future in farming.
We need your support to make agriculture viable again. Provide full value chain support from preparation, production, and marketing by ensuring that available programs and services reach the smallholder family farmers. We call also for supportive government policies. Amend the Rice Tariffication Law, extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, Enact the National Land Use Act, and Magna Carta for Young Farmers. Lastly, lead the ongoing campaign of UN Decade of Family Farming as this provides a concrete and inclusive development framework for family farmers.
Rest assured that we will still do our part to feed the nation. My community had seen me grow from a hopeful young farmer and still one to a dedicated farmer leader. I will continue to inspire and be a role model to my fellow 66 young farmers in Banasi and to other young farmers in the country.
Let our stories, struggles and collective call challenge you to act and do better. Please bear in mind that ‘no farmer, no food, no future!
Randy Cirio
Philippines
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