"Is there something I've done to deserve all these blessings?" "Am I someone others can look up to?"
These are the questions I often ask myself to stay grounded despite achieving my dreams and reaching where I am today. I am Junnard S. Coronel, 22, an EAsY Agri Scholar. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science, from Central Mindanao University, graduating cum laude. Now, I am a Licensed Agriculturist, moving from the humbling soils of my hometown to a space where I serve as a catalyst for change in the agricultural sector—and this is just the beginning.
Roots of Resilience
Looking back, my journey in agriculture is deeply rooted in the love and resilience of my family. Growing up, I watched my parents toil under the scorching sun, tending to the land we owned. Despite their relentless efforts, their income barely met the growing needs of our family, especially with four children in school. Yet, this challenge never deterred me from pursuing a degree in agriculture.
I wanted to help in the field, but my body was not built for strenuous labor. This frustrated me, making me feel like a burden. However, rather than letting this limitation define me, I found another way to contribute. From eighth grade, I hustled to support my education—selling citrus fruits, running errands, and even exploring online business using the Android phone my mother gifted me upon my high school graduation. While others might have found it embarrassing, I saw it as an opportunity to lighten my family's load.
Then, during my senior high school years, life threw another challenge our way—my father was diagnosed with tuberculosis and could no longer work. Though I had passed my college entrance exam, I had already resolved to work at a call center to fund his treatment and ease our financial strain. But fate had other plans. One day, while searching for scholarship programs online, I stumbled upon a Facebook post about the EAsY Agri Scholarship, shared by my former instructor. It felt like the universe had answered my prayers.
The scholarship, with its financial assistance and the stipend I earned by consistently making the dean’s list, allowed me to focus on my studies without having to work on the side or rely on my family. It was the turning point that set me on the path to achieving my dream.
A Passion Beyond the Fields
Though I couldn't work physically in the fields, my curiosity and passion for agriculture never waned. I wanted to understand the industry beyond its stereotype of being backbreaking and unclean. My choice to major in Animal Science stemmed from childhood memories of my grandfather, my tatay, tending to boars for backyard hog breeding. I dreamt of gaining the knowledge to collaborate with him, to improve what he had built. But before I could graduate, my tatay passed away.
His absence was painful, but his influence remained. Reflecting on my journey, I realized that agriculture is more than just manual labor—it is a vast, evolving field filled with untapped opportunities. Today, I serve as an agricultural technical staff member at the Municipal Agriculture Office in Quezon, Bukidnon. Though my tatay is no longer here to share this journey, his role in my life has multiplied—I now work alongside many farmers, sharing knowledge and transforming the industry in ways I once only dreamed of.
The Bigger Dream
While my family is not yet entirely free from financial struggles, I have lifted the heaviest weight off my shoulders—I no longer feel like a burden. But my journey does not stop here.
My mission is clear: to reshape the perception of agriculture. It is not just for the poor or those without options—it is for individuals bold enough to see its potential. Agriculture is an industry rich with innovation, sustainability, and opportunity.
My vision extends beyond my current role. I see myself pursuing a postgraduate degree and returning to my alma mater to teach and inspire future agricultural leaders. I want to elevate small-scale farmers like my family, incorporating modern techniques, sustainable practices, and encouraging the youth to embrace agriculture with fresh eyes. The future of farming is not just in the fields but in the minds of the next generation—those who will leverage technology to drive change and innovation in this ever-evolving sector.
Agriculture is no longer just about surviving—it’s about thriving. And I am here to ensure that everyone, from farmers to scholars, can thrive alongside it.
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