HANOI, KalderaNews.com – Vietnam is about to see the start of the Vietnam Empower Youth4Food Campaign, a big effort to change how young people in the country think about farming and jobs in agriculture. The goal is to get them to become more involved in shaping sustainable food systems, thereby enhancing the reputation of agriculture among young people in Vietnam.
The campaign is supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and coordinated by the regional Southeast Asia office of Nuffic – the Dutch organisation for the internationalizing of education.
Farming made cool
In Vietnam, there’s a need to update how people grow food to make sure the country has enough food in the future. With the upcoming risks of climate change and an aging population of farmers, the self-sufficiency of Vietnam is at risk.
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Unfortunately, many young people don’t see farming as a good job, thinking it’s old-fashioned and not suited for modern times. The Empower Youth4Food wants to change that by showing young people, aged 16 to 35 what the agricultural sector has to offer.
Drawing inspiration from countries like the Netherlands, where farming is a sophisticated, high-tech big industry utilizing advanced technologies such as hydroponics and drones, this campaign aims to demonstrate that farming can be both modern and full of potential.
Recognizing that Vietnam is not the only country facing the challenges of stimulating youth to join the agricultural sector, the first variety of the Empower Youth4Food campaign was launched on 22 April 2021 with chapters established across Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore. One of the highlights was the Changemaker Challenge, wherein over 200 students and 50 young professionals from across Southeast Asia presented innovative solutions to real-world business challenges faced by agri-food companies.
Opening doors for youth
The Vietnam Empower Youth4Campaign consists of four key elements: events, success stories, a changemaker challenge, and navigating career paths. Tailored events will engage different age groups, offering activities like social media contests and online seminars to educate on sustainable food systems.
Success stories will highlight Vietnamese professionals, especially those who studied in the Netherlands, demonstrating the rewarding careers available in agriculture. The Changemaker Challenge will engage students in solving real-world issues faced by agri-food companies, providing seed money to the winning teams to bring their innovative ideas into implementation.
Additionally, the campaign connects Vietnamese students and young professionals with career opportunities through collaboration with members of the Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV), offering guest lectures and company visits for high school students aged 16-21 and promoting job openings and internships for young professionals aged 22-35 to foster career advancement.
Shared Vision
On the first day of the Netherlands Economic Mission to Vietnam, the Empower Youth4Food Campaign was launched by H.E. Mrs. Christianne van der Wal, Minister for Nature and Nitrogen Policy, together with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Le Minh Hoan, on March 19, 2024, at Intercontinental Hanoi.
Minister van der Wal emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping the future of agriculture, underscoring the campaign’s significance in raising awareness among young Vietnamese. Inviting collaboration from the Vietnamese government, businesses, knowledge institutions, and international organizations, Minister van der Wal stressed the importance of collective investment in empowering future leaders for a more sustainable future.
Chao Yen, a Vietnamese young entrepreneur, shared her personal journey of encountering criticism upon returning to her home village to launch a small business centered on sustainable agriculture. She highlighted the campaign’s potential to motivate young Vietnamese individuals to pursue aspirations in the agricultural sector, providing opportunities for learning about resilience, adaptation to climate change, and strategies to enhance agricultural product value.
Chengrui Kang, an NL alumnus and current General Manager of East-West Seed Vietnam, echoed the sentiment of involving the next generation. East-West Seed is committed to sharing business initiatives and innovations in Vietnam through company visits, internships, and guest lectures.
Babette Bodlaender, from the Netherlands Food Partnership, emphasized the organization’s role in connecting individuals and fostering partnerships to advance sustainable food systems. Recognizing the pivotal role of the younger generation, Bodlaender stressed the importance of empowering them with the necessary skills and networks to drive innovation in food systems.
Emily Thuy Nguyen, an alumna of Erasmus University Rotterdam and Sustainability Manager Asia at De Heus, expressed her hopes through the campaign. She aims to showcase how De Heus develops the food and agriculture value chain sustainably, inspiring others to participate in addressing challenges.
Representative of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Kalyan Guntuboyina, underscored the urgency of addressing food system challenges as we approach 2050, with a projected global population of 10 billion. WUR aims to empower youth by emphasizing sustainability and innovation, cultivating a new generation of agricultural leaders committed to a future prioritizing food security and environmental sustainability.
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