A range of experts from the European Commission’s DG Agriculture, the European Network of Rural Development and multifunctional young farmers themselves gave presentations at the event.
Opening the conference, CEJA President Joris Baecke welcomed “these new ideas and activities that show young farmers are being innovative and taking the initiative when it comes to modernising their businesses. If Europe does want to make farming more innovative and competitive, the first starting point should be the young generation.”
Chiara Dellapasqua from the EU Commission’s DG AGRI, outlined that “young farmers can contribute the most to fostering innovation and resource-efficiency to achieve the EU2020 objectives.” Furthermore, young farmers should have access to all support instruments, i.e. those specifically designed for them and those which can be tailored to their specific, local needs.”
Johannes Dreer from the Institute for Rural Development Research, IFLS welcomed that “the project linked agricultural research with practical agriculture at ground level.”
The final result of the project will be a website with a search system and a teaching guide to promote the exchange of ideas and give incentives to farmers to become multifunctional.
Presentations from the conference will be uploaded here:
http://ceja.eu/en/events/multifunctionality-conference
