China opportunity for young farmers

The EU and China are offering a unique opportunity for young farmers to discover more about agriculture in the world's most populated country.

In April, European Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan and Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu announced a new initiative between the Commission's Agricultural Directorate and China, to help strengthen relationships between young farmers across the EU and China.  

They have now issued a call for applicants for the first stage of the initiative, which will see 10 young farmers (under 40) chosen from across the EU to visit China in November this year, with another 10 to visit in June 2018, for two weeks each time. The scheme is fully funded by the EU and China so there are no costs for the participants.

The main objectives of the EU-China Young Farmers Programme are to:

• Facilitate effective sharing and dissemination of experiences and best practices
• Enhance capacity building in modern farming techniques
• Reinforce cooperation in green development, environmental protection practices and sustainable agriculture
• Produce recommendations to practitioners and policy-makers on sustainable farming practices
• Increase the mutual understanding between young professional farmers and agricultural professionals from both sides, develop close collaboration and ties, and deepen the international cooperation and exchange in agriculture between China and the EU.
   

The closing date is September 10.

The programmes haven't been finalised but are expected to include a mix of on farm visits and discussions, visits to research institutes, government meetings and various training and workshops. 

The idea is to give young farmers a chance to explore common, and sometimes very different, challenges both the EU and China. These include diversity of agriculture, climate, natural environment, cultural traditions, diversity of socio-economic status, ageing rural population and the difference between urban and rural development. 

To read about NPA senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford's experience of China and its approach towards, British pork, click here