Provide digital platforms to shorten value chains
Starting the conversation, Mr. Bolanos gave some insight on how food security in Costa Rica and Latin America has been impacted by the pandemic. According to him, being a largely food exporting region, the international demand for export commodities was affected by the pandemic especially for non-staple crops like pineapples. The case was however different for staple exports which were still quite in demand. In terms of the government’s reaction to the situation, restrictions were placed on transit but total lockdown was not enforced. Bolanos also spoke about how youths could be involved in the region’s food system response. He remarked that some areas that hold urgent promise for youth participation are information technology-where youths can provide digital platforms to shorten the value chain and link growers to demand- and value addition or product development.

There is therefore the expectation that this pandemic might open a vista of opportunities for more technological advancements in the sector championed by youths
Involving youths in agricultural workforce
Building on the discussion, Mr. McNally also pointed out the need for more youths to be involved in agricultural workforce. He pointed out that just like in Costa Rica, the average age of the agricultural workforce in Canada was in the mid-fifties. So far, there has been an increased drive to stimulate more youth participation through the creation of more summer jobs for young people in agriculture.

Responding to the question of how North American youths may be involved in creating resilience in the light of the current pandemic, McNally remarked that young people have always been at the forefront of creating disruptive innovations in the agricultural sector including facilitating the incorporation of advancements like robotics, and precision technology in the sector. There is therefore the expectation that this pandemic might open a vista of opportunities for more technological advancements in the sector championed by youths.

Balancing between 'efficiency and resilience'
Bringing an academic perspective into the discussion, Melissa van der Werwe remarked on how the pandemic has disrupted instruction and interaction with students, with activities having to shift online. Key challenges with this new reality, she averred were the problem of internet access and connectivity as well as the problems students face with balancing home responsibilities with their academic obligations. According to Van der Merwe, the situation was not all bleak, as it has enabled schools to be able to invite professionals in the industry via virtual digital platforms, a situation that has enriched student learning experience.

A highlight of her presentation was the assertion that with respect to the global food systems, there has to be balance between “efficiency and resilience”. She alluded to the supply challenge faced by developed countries where the shut down of large meat processing plants caused major shocks through the entire value chain. On youth involvement in promoting food systems resilience, she called for more proactive involvement by youths especially in the developing countries of Africa, where there is a lot of room in value addition, food processing as well as development and adoption of technology.

On how youths in Europe could be encouraged to be more involved in agriculture, De Munnik lamented the huge capital requirement for starting new agribusinesses
Youth participation in agriculture by providing advisory
Mr. de Munnik, the panelist from Europe, spoke about how Rabobank was making food available to cushion the effect of the pandemic in low to middle-income countries. According to De Munnik, the bank has been responding through its initiatives such as the Rabobank Foundation whose goal is to stimulate local food production where it is most needed especially in developing countries. Speaking on the financial realities occasioned by the pandemic, he highlighted the slight increase in European interest rates, a situation that has since been restored to pre-COVID19 levels.

On how youths in Europe could be encouraged to be more involved in agriculture, De Munnik lamented the huge capital requirement for starting new agribusinesses. On its part, Rabobank has been making contributions towards having more youth participation in agriculture through providing advisory services as well as providing loans at favorable rates to entrepreneurs whose businesses engaged environmentally and economically sustainable practices.

What is your take-home message from the first Young Board Webinar? Please share below.

The event featured members of the Young Board, including:

The moderator:
  • Richard Agetu (Graduate Student, University of Adelaide, Australia)

  • And panelists:
  • Melissa van der Merwe (Lecturer, University of Pretoria, South Africa)
  • Justin McNally (Agronomist, Lallemand Canada)
  • Juan Jose Bolanos (CEO, Pinalbo Costa Rica)
  • Michiel de Munnik (Account manager, RaboBank, The Netherlands)


  • Attending IFAMA Board members were:
  • Hector Laurence (President)
  • Raj Vardhan (President Elect)
  • Woody Maijers
  • Prof. Victoria Salin
  • Kathryn White (IFAMA Executive Director)


  • Remarks were also made by the Chair of the ongoing IFAMA Digital conference, Dick Veerman, as well as the Young Board’s Program lead for the event Anathi Makamane (University of the Free State, South Africa). Closing remarks were made by the Chair of the Young Board, Edeoba Edobor (Purdue University, United States).