Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, BUKIDNON---Developing the youth is a continuous challenge for government extension service workers, particularly in the agriculture sector. Poverty in rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of income is prevalent. Since most youth associate agriculture with poverty, it discourages them from pursuing their dreams through farming since they prefer to take chances in the cities and take blue-collar jobs.
Taking a closer look, those who practiced conventional or traditional agriculture often remains at the threshold, if not below the poverty level. In spite of the effort of the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) to bring the newest farming technologies, farmers still tend to hold on to their old practices, like monocropping, conventional farming, and planting before finding their market, or selling their produce fresh instead of adding value before marketing. More often than not, they usually treat farming as a livelihood instead of a business.
Meanwhile, the declining interest of the youth in agriculture should not be ignored, and those young people should be exposed to the best practices and be taught the principles of entrepreneurship by successful farmers.
The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a Regional Youth Camp (RYC) with the theme: “4-H Level UP: Leading Excellence in Agriculture through Viable Innovations, Empowering Leaders, and Unleashing 4-H Potentials” on July 26-28, 2022 at Alomah’s Place and Nature Farm, Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
The activity was conducted to instill among the youth participants that farming is a business and there is money in it. Also, it aims to enhance the participant's knowledge and skills on the latest agricultural technologies, develop leadership and artistic abilities, share the best farming experiences, and foster healthy competition.
The activity was participated by 20 participants composed of 4-H Club members and coordinators from the Province of Bukidnon and from Cagayan de Oro City.
In one of their activities, the participants were able to learn and identify how to manage their stress by knowing themselves better towards positive mental health. Likewise, the participants were inspired by the sharing of best-farming practices from the resource speakers who are themselves successful young-agripreneurs like Ted and Bong Quemado of Mushroom City, and from Ms. Grace Marie Amor Mahistrado-Luceñara. Some of their learnings include the importance of agritourism and the use of social media like Facebook as one of their marketing tools in selling their products and farm produce.
Part of the highlights of the annual RYC activity is the conduct of 4-H ceremonies like flag ritual, opening ceremony, candle lighting ceremony, and various contests such as Promotional Video Making, 4-H Debate, Innovative Technology on Organic Fertilizer Production, Indigenous Chandelier Making, Canvass painting with the theme: Pagsasaka sa Kanayunan tungo sa Masaganang Kinabukasan”, 4-H Trivia Party Quiz; and Search for Lakan at Lakambini ng 4-H Club 2022. Physical activities like amazing race were also conducted.
Lastly, a certificate of recognition was awarded to all contest winners and also a certificate of appreciation was given to all partners and participants:
Search for Lakan at Lakambini ng 4-H 2022
Champion for the Lakan ng 4H 2022: Erap L. Paayas
Champion for the Lakambini ng 4H 2022: Chaasa Angela Billones
1st Runner-up for Lakan ng 4H 2022: Cuthbert Kyrus C. Batoy
1st Runner-up for Lakambini ng 4H 2022: Glydel S. Manila
Promotional Video Making Contest
Champion: Judha Mae E. Abalde
Innovative Technology on Organic Fertilizer Production
Champion: Maydene V. Demesana
1st Runner-up: Inah Kris O. Esmao
Indigenous Chandelier Making contest
Champion: Angel V. Demesana
4-H Debate
Champion: Ariel C. Padojinog
1st Runner-up: Erap L. Paayas
Canvass Painting
Champion: Clear Jerome C. Balaba
1st Runner-up: Philip Kenn M. Silicay
(With reports written by Cristine A. Galupo, Agriculturist II)
