"Everything in the Netherlands is big"

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Since 2004, BAJK (organisation for young farmers in the southern part of the Netherlands) has been working in partnership with the young farmers of Pasaka on the Philippines. The partnership is focusing on support to the youth chapter within Pasaka, stimulation of and contributing to the economic prospects for young farmers. At the moment, two young Philippine female farmers are visiting BAJK to improve their knowledge about different livelihood subjects, like piggery, growing vegetables and fruits, and of feeding, fertilizers and manure. Also they learn how to initiate study groups in the Philippines to continue the lessons learned in the Netherlands.

The first thing they will tell to their family when they are back home, is that everything in the Netherlands is big. Not only the people. The calves in the Netherlands are as big as grown cows in the Philippines. Also the pigs, horses and chickens are much bigger as well as the farms and the arable land.

Pasaka is a provincial federation of small coconut farmers, farm-workers, small owner cultivators and rural poor in the province of Lanao del Norte. 60% of members are young farmers. In Lanao del Norte there are three youth chapters. The youngsters are planning to set up more groups, so that the travel distance to the meetings and free trainings organised by the youth chapters will be less.

Ilyn Paradero and Nancy Yuson, both daughters of coconut farmers and member of a youth chapter, visited study groups of the BAJK and different husbandries since their arrival in the Netherlands. Also they attended the debate with members of the European Parliament organised by BAJK. Because the debate was completely in Dutch, Ilyn and Nancy could barely understand it. Nevertheless they found it really impressive; in their home land such a debate will rarely take place, because politicians never visit or communicate with farmers.

Ilyn and Nanyc experienced the Dutch farming life extensively. They visited dairy farmings, pig breeders, poultry farms, vegetable- and fruit growers. The first things they noticed during each visit were the machinery and hi-tech products that all Dutch farmers use. On the coconut farm of their parents all the work is done by hand and the whole family helps on the field. Their only ‘tool’ is one bull to plough and cultivate the land. Obviously it is impossible to bring the machines to their home land. Yet they will share their new knowledge with the other members of the youth chapters of Pasaka. They learned about time management and long-term planning. A Dutch dairy farmer showed how to dry grass and store it, so that during winter time when there is no fresh grass for the cows  you still have enough food for them. Also the young Philippines learned how to initiate a study group to share (technical) knowledge among young farmers.
 
It is the first time for Ilyn and Nancy outside the Philippines. For both of them it is a special experience to be in the Netherlands, so far away from home and with eating habits that differ a lot from what they are used to. Fortunately, they spend the nights on a Dutch farm where the hostess cooks rice for them every  morning for breakfast. But for dinner also Ilyn and Nancy have to eat what is served.