With a clarion call to empower youth and reimagine agriculture as a space for innovation and leadership, the Asia-Pacific Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics 2025 officially commenced yesterday morning (6 July) at Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Gazipur Agricultural University.

The four-day regional event, jointly organised by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and COAST Foundation under its FO4A project, has brought together 120 young farmers and entrepreneurs from over 15 districts of Bangladesh.

Inaugurating the camp, Ma. Estrella “Esther” Penunia, Secretary General of AFA, delivered a rousing address. “Youth is God’s gift to the future,” she declared, urging participants to see agriculture not merely as a means of livelihood, but as a platform for transformative leadership. “This camp opens doors to new possibilities for youth to lead, innovate, and become change agents in their communities, particularly in the face of global challenges like climate change.”

AFA’s Regional Coordinator for East, Central, and South Asia, Mr Amirul Islam, further emphasized the organisation’s mission. “AFA is not just an institution—it is a family, where young farmers are at the core,” he stated. “We are currently working across 16 countries, including connections with 27 Pacific nations, to ensure youth can influence agricultural policy at national and regional levels.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Md. Saiful Alam, Director of Student Welfare at Gazipur Agricultural University, remarked, “The era of conventional agriculture is over. We must transition towards agribusiness—and youth will be at the forefront of this transformation.”

Md. Sajjad Hossain, Technical Coordinator of the “Pothikrom” initiative, lauded the event as a step toward agricultural revolution, while Hunger Free World Country Director Ataur Rahman Milton urged young people to “break free from job-seeking mindsets and embrace entrepreneurship.” He also underscored the vital role of platforms like AFA in securing farmers’ rights.

ABM Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of ALRD, thanked AFA and COAST Foundation for organizing the event. “In Bangladesh, farmers are often undervalued—yet during national crises like the pandemic, it was the farmers who kept the country afloat. It is high time we recognise their contributions, especially those of women, who constitute 56% of the agricultural workforce.”

Dr Md Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre, highlighted Bangladesh’s growing strength in South Asia’s agricultural landscape. “Technologies such as mechanization, AI, and drones are reshaping agriculture—and it is the youth who will drive these innovations forward.”

Young participants also took the stage to share their personal experiences and challenges. One farmer noted, “Organic fertilizers are expensive. With proper subsidies, we could transition more sustainably.” Another youth entrepreneur emphasized, “We often start with no capital, relying only on land and facing immense risk. A stronger partnership between government and NGOs could change that.”

Chief Guest Md. Saiful Azam Khan, Director General of the Agricultural Training Academy, concluded the inaugural session by paying tribute to the martyrs of July and reflecting on the present challenges. “Due to climate change, agriculture is under threat from erratic floods, droughts, and river erosion. To build resilience, modernization is critical—and young agri-entrepreneurs are the key.”

The first day featured a vibrant “World Café” dialogue, allowing youth to discuss topics such as cooperative farming models, agroecology, and market-oriented production. Participants shared dreams, struggles, and aspirations for transforming agriculture.

Over the next three days, the camp will host climate adaptation workshops, pitching sessions, skill labs, and the highly anticipated “Agrilympics”—a series of themed games designed around agriculture and the environment. The final day will culminate in the presentation of the “Youth Farmers Declaration,” outlining a vision and demands for the future of agriculture.