BUTUAN CITY - Having the highest number of points from the different competitions, the province of Agusan del Sur was declared as over-all champion during the three-day Regional Farm Youth (4-H) Summit on August 24 – 26, 2022 with the theme, “4-H Level UP: Leading Excellence in Agriculture through Viable Innovations, Empowering Leaders and Unleashing 4-H Potential.”

A total of 52 participants consist of 4-H members and coordinators from the provincial, municipal and city level from Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Province of Dinagat Islands, and Butuan City joined the said event.

Rebecca R. Atega, OIC – Regional Technical Director for Operations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga Region and guest speaker, said “There is so much more that the youth can do outside employment. One can engage in agribusiness, food production, processing, and livestock raising.” She also encouraged the youth to ask for support from the DA and other agencies because there are programs intended for the youth through scholarships, livelihood, loans, and others.

The activity involves four contests on Search for Lakan and Lakambini ng 4-H Club 2022 won by Alberto Picot Jr. from Agusan del Sur and Maxine Lou Pleños from Agusan del Norte; Promotional Video Making got by Jefferson Buag from Sibagat, Agusan del Sur; Innovative Technology on organic Fertilizer Production won by Marvin Anlangoy from Sibagat, Agusan del Sur; and 4-H Debate by Rick John Guillarte from Surigao del Sur.

Lectures were also done on various topics. The first is on mental health discussed by Novalil Tubo from CSWD-Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte entitled “Mind Your Mind: Calming the Storms Inside towards Positive Mental Health.”

“The first session is commendable and relevant to the society, especially in our province where we had encountered different catastrophes, the most devastating is the super typhoon. We’re beyond grateful for ATI for the opportunities,” said John Andrei D. Penedos, a 4-Her from Surigao City.

The second lecture was given by Erico C. Calumba, a winner of the Kabataan Agribiz contest and student and co-owner of Lapaqueño, who encouraged the participants by sharing his best farming practices as a young entrepreneur.

Moreover, another presentation was done about “Digital Farming: Opportunities and Challenges in the midst of the pandemic” through Francis Joseph C. Perdigon, a student farmer of Perdigon Farm.

And on the last day, Emie Cholie B. Mejala, Tourism Operations Officer II of the Department of Tourism, shared the topics on agritourism.

“In this activity, I have found new friends and get to go along and bond with them. It is not only for educational purposes but also to show the skills and talents outside the box. It was a privileged to represent and be crowned as Lakan ng 4-H for my province. Thank you so much ATI for being so approachable, friendly and kin. Food is nutritious. Venue was very comfortable, and social night was fun and memorable,” said Alberto B. Picot Jr. from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.