Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Hot topic

1

w w w . is da 2 0 1 0 . n e t

Youth participation in agricultural innovation systems

The case of special coffee tasters in Perú

Maria Paz Montoya P.

Hot topic

2

Hot topic

1• In Latinamerica, Perú is the fourth country with a higher rural youth population after Brasil, Mexico and Colombia (i).

• After Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua, Perú has the poorest rural youth population and is in the fifth place regarding youth in extreme poverty after Honduras, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Paraguay(ii)

• Rural youth represents 24,89% of rural population in Perú, 21.75% of total youth population and 5,82% of Perú’s total population (iii).

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

(i) Boletín demográfico CEPAL.2005(ii) Juventud y cohesión social en Iberoamérica. CEPAL 2008(iii)Censos Nacionales 2007: IX de Población y VI de Vivienda del Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática

General Facts

Hot topic

1Rural Youth in Andean Region - Perú

• Land tenancy : microdivision – Agrarian Reform. • Large families. Redistribution of land problems • Parents suffered from terrorism. Seek better

opportunities for children giving priority to education. • Educational opportunities reinforce migration

processes. • New knowledge (technology, market competencies,

quality production, rentability, etc.) • Willingness to work under an entrepreneurial

approach and not under traditional structures.• Willingness to innovate, diversify and specialize.

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Hot topic

1Special Coffee market in Perú

• 1999-2003 Global coffee crisis affects cooperative organizations in Perú

• 2002 Café Perú is founded. Certifications : organic, fair trade.

• 2006 Coffee quality affected due to fair trade market/low quality coffees

• 2006-2007 First training program for special coffee tasters in Perú. Café Perú contacts CQI (Coffee Quality Institute – USA).

• 2008-2009 First training program for Q-graders in Perú.

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Hot topic

1Training programs for young coffee tasters

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Develop technical habilities – coffee tasting - in youngsters to improve special coffee quality to better access international markets. International certification Q-GRADER.

• Competences approach • More than 50 trained and certified as Q Graders • 70% of the trainees are coffee producers’ children• Ages range : 20-30 years• 4,900 coffee producers (19,000has.)from more than 10 cooperative coffee organizations were benefited•400 producers and 40 coffee coorperative organizations were also trained in special coffee production.

Hot topic

1Results•Youngster participation in this innovative experience has allowed them to introduce themselves in a competitive market where quality and innovation are the basis of its success.

•At the same time, they have now employment opportunities as tasters and capacity builders to form other youngsters.

•This expertise is being recognized by their families and their communities giving them visibility and voice. A number of this youngsters are now in leadership positions in their organizations.

•Youngsters are now increasingly participating in the coffee value chain in the aim of sustainable livelihoods of their families and their communities.

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Hot topic

1Conclusions• Young people constitute a key element to any rural

development strategy with a mid and long term vision.

• Agricultural innovation policies aimed at youngsters should take into account the changing context and diversity of local and cultural realities young people face.

• Along with capacity building, knowledge management, technology development and services provision elements, agricultural innovation initiatives should empower youngsters towards entrepreneurial and market approaches that will contribute to fulfill their employment and opportunity expectations.

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Hot topic

1

Maria Paz Montoya P. Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food – June 28 / July 1, 2010

Gracias !Merci !Thank you !