The Young Farmers Pilot Project, hosted by SELC College and proudly sponsored by Grupo PHA, creates a unique platform for knowledge exchange between Brazil and Canada.
Designed for young farmers from Rio Grande do Sul, the program combines classroom training in sustainable agriculture with hands-on farm work in British Columbia.
This initiative builds on a strong foundation: In 2024, Brazil exported over $604 million in agricultural goods to Canada, while Canada supplied more than $1.65 billion worth of fertilizer and farming inputs to Brazil.
These figures reflect a growing partnership ripe for deeper educational collaboration.
Canada is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, pioneering technologies and practices that are highly relevant to training the next generation of farmers.
Precision farming to climate-smart practices has enabled Canadian agriculture to boost productivity and sustainability in tandem.
These advances offer valuable learning opportunities for international collaboration programs.
Program Structure Overview
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| English Preparation | 4 weeks in Brasília to improve academic and workplace communication |
| Academic Training | 12 weeks at SELC College focusing on business, diversity, and customer service |
| Agri Elective | 20 hours/week: Canadian farm models, sustainable agriculture, and AgTech |
| Field Visits | Two immersive trips to BC farms for on-site learning and networking |
| Co-op Placement | 4.5 months of hands-on farming at sites like ALR Cherry Orchard in Peachland, BC |
Cultivating Collaboration and Education Outcomes
Focusing on real-world skills, cultural exchange, and sustainable development, the program equips participants with both local insight and global agricultural strategies.
Canada’s leadership in AgTech like precision agriculture, smart irrigation, and drone-based crop analytics, plays a key role.
| Outcome Area | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| Technical Proficiency | 45% increase in practical skills |
| Agri Innovation Adoption | 70% of participants plan to implement precision |
| Productivity Boost | Host farms report up to 20% increase in yield and efficiency during placements |
| Cross-Cultural Skills | 95% of students gain confidence in international communication and leadership |
Canadian innovations like smart irrigation have cut water usage by 20% while boosting crop yields by up to 30%.
One Alberta farm using AI-powered systems reported a 15% reduction in input costs and greater soil health.
These technologies, demonstrated during field visits, allow participants to envision how scalable solutions can address both Brazil’s productivity goals and climate adaptation needs.
Why It Matters
With the demand for food expected to increase by 50 percent by 2050, the need for skilled, visionary farmers is higher than ever before.
Climate change, loss of soil, and resource scarcity are reshaping agriculture, and the next generation must be equipped to adjust.
The Young Farmers Pilot Project aligns Brazil’s agricultural strength with Canada’s technology and education excellence.
Brazil contributes scale and productivity, and Canada contributes innovation and training.
When combined, they provide a robust platform for sustainable agriculture.
More than educating, this project helps to build cultural sensitivity, leadership, and a global mindset.
Participants return with the tools, self-assurance, and contacts to bring change to their communities.
It is a beacon of how partnerships with the rest of the world and education can impact a more sustainable, brighter future for agriculture worldwide.
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