Young Farmer Vocational and Individual Capacity Development Program

While efforts to improve agriculture and animal husbandry around the world are gaining importance, activities started in 2022 within the scope of the "Young Farmer Vocational and Individual Capacity Development Program", based on the United Nations' declaration of 2019-2028 as the "Period of Development and Expansion of Family Farming". In order to ensure sustainability in family farming, a research was designed in line with the necessity of supporting young people and determining their motivation and expectations to continue farming. Thus, it was aimed to determine the continuity of young people in agricultural production, what their priorities are in rural life and the strategies that should be taken into account in policies.

In 2022 on March and April, in 10 districts of İzmir determined as the pilot region; a survey was conducted with 113 young farmers between the ages of 18 and 40. The representatives of Ankara University Development Studies Application and Research Center (AKÇAM), Yaşar University Food and Agriculture Community volunteer students and Pınar Institute visited the villages and conducted questionnaires.

The results of the research titled "Young Farmers' Perceptions and Expectations Regarding Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Life" were announced at the workshop held on October 12, 2022. After the research results were shared with the participants, a workshop on "The Future of Young Farming" was held. The expectations, wishes and opinions of the young farmers participating in the sector were listened to.

After the survey results and the opinions gathered in the workshop, it was planned to create an action plan for the development of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry. Starting from the pilot regions to be determined, studies will be carried out in the fields of social, education and economy for the development of young farming in Turkey.

As a result of these studies; it is aimed to socialize rural life, to continue the village life of families, to increase the quality of the products produced, to create new markets or to strengthen the existing market by diversifying. With the trainings and activities to be carried out, it is aimed to improve the living standards in rural areas.