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| by TakingITGlobal, |
Apr 2, 2004 |
[TIG] How is technology changing the face of agriculture, and specifically the family farm? Is this movement hindering the family farm by consolidating of farm land into larger, corporate models? Or is it helping the family farm become sustainable through increased efficiency and mechanization?
[Seiders] This question is a little difficult to answer in the context of developing countries. The so called “family farm” is the predominant system of agriculture in most of these countries and will remain so for many years to come. There are the trends of consolidating farm lands into larger corporate models, but not being an expert in this area, I would guess that it is more due to certain economic incentives and globalization rather that the availability of technology. I do feel that technology can help strengthen family farms through increased efficiency and certain appropriate levels of mechanization moving away from subsistence agriculture to market-oriented production.
[TIG] The divisive issue of farm subsidies has been center stage in recent WTO gatherings, most notably the failed meeting in Cancun, Mexico. It is of particular importance for young people looking at a career in agriculture as it speaks to its immediate future. What will be the effect of farm subsidies, as practiced by Europe and the US in particular, on the future of agriculture, especially in developing countries?
[Seiders] Again, I am not an expert in the area of world trade, but I think anything that reduces economic incentives for farming, such as major subsidies for agricultural products by developed countries, will negatively impact the willingness of young people to consider agriculture as a viable career choice.
[TIG] What advice would you give to a young person considering entering agriculture as a profession?
[Seiders] I would advise any young person wishing to consider agriculture as a profession to seek as much education and training as possible. Agriculture is technology and science-based area of work whether research in the laboratory or ploughing a field. Knowledge, skills and relevant experience will contribute significantly to success as an agricultural professional. Many young people even from urban areas wish to go into agriculture. My advice to them is that, in addition to formal training, try to get as much hands-on, practical experience as possible.
[TIG] Can you give a brief overview of the activities, objectives and vision of the FAO Rural Youth programmes?
[Seiders] FAO’s mission related to young people is to help create, strengthen and expand government and non-government youth development programmes. Given adequate knowledge, skills and resources, youth can play a significant role in helping meet the World Food Summit goal of reducing the number of the world’s hungry by one-half by the year 2015. The programme encourages the development of essential life skills through experiential learning and income-generating project and activities. In recognition of the importance of youth and their potential impact on hunger, FAO created in 1999 a new project called Youth in Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods (2002-2007). Rural youth development in FAO draws on resources and support from the many technical divisions within the organization, including nutrition, gender, agriculture, forestry, natural resources and fisheries. FAO is actively seeking the development of partnerships and collaboration with other UN agencies, international development organizations, potential donors and civil society sharing a common interest of empowering young people in rural areas to become contributing and productive citizens of their local communities, their countries and their world.
[TIG] Why is the dissemination of information in agriculture important? How can this issue be raised and proposed within decision making and capacity building processes?
[Seiders] Combined with local indigenous knowledge, the dissemination of information is the life blood of agriculture. Agriculture is not a static endeavour. It is ever changing. There are always external factors impacting on the production of crops and livestock, such as new insect pests, animal diseases, changing weather patterns and new market demands. There are so many cultural practices influencing production that can be adjusted in any combination of ways that could increase or decrease output.
The dissemination of information is important but not enough. It is not only a matter of technology transfer, but just as importantly, that of building the capacity of farmers through education and training to empower them through the acquisition of basic skills and knowledge to be able to use the information in a meaningful way to improve their agricultural production and marketing systems.
The dissemination of information in agricultural has traditionally been the responsibility of public sector government extension services. Today there are radical changes all over the world in terms of how extension services are organized and how they deliver agricultural technology to farmers. In many countries there is no longer the single public sector extension service of the past, but rather a pluralistic system including NGOs and private advisory businesses. In addition, new extension systems in order to be relevant must be demand-driven, gender sensitive and cost effective. Decision makers need to take all this into account when considering national agricultural and rural development strategies and policy. On concrete way to bring this need for national extension reform to the attention of policy makers is to carry out a participatory strategic planning process, based on background studies and including a national conference to come up with a national strategy and plan of action.
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