YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE, ITS VITALITY AND PROSPECTIVES
In spite of the fact that the Philippines is primarily an agricultural country, fewer Filipinos are venturing into the sector. Though farming is the second-highest labour force in the nation, there is a steep fall in the number of people who have a desire in working in this industry, as seen by the average age of farmers, which is from 55 to 59 years old.
It is reasonable to invest in our youth in order to address these concerns. Nowadays, they are quite active on numerous social media platforms and are very interested in contemporary technologies that could provide the innovation and creativity to compete in the challenging agricultural environment. Due to the current state of the agricultural industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to urge young people to participate in this pursuit.
At the regional level, DA-ATI CALABARZON through the direction of Training Center Superintendent II, Dr. Rolando V. Maningas continues to strengthen and improve youth involvement while providing pathways for advancement and development within the agricultural industry through education by granting scholarships and carrying out a range of training, research, collaboration, and entrepreneurial growth programs.
One of the activities that aims to increase the youth's understanding of various agricultural modernization, urban, and peri-urban technological themes, as well as to highlight the varied abilities and talents of 4-H members in the CALABARZON was the Regional Farm Youth Camp conducted at Gintong Bukid Farm & Leisure, Nagcarlan, Laguna last June 27–29, 2023, where 80 young members and officers from the 4-H Club in the region actively participated.
Historically, the 4W Program/Club was established in 1946 by the Agricultural Extension Division (AED) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). When the United States approved the use of the term 4-H Club in the Philippines, 4W Club adopted the name 4-H Club. This was created mainly for out-of-school adolescents who, as a result of poverty, are unable to pursue educational opportunities but who might benefit from the opportunity to be recognized and improve their conditions by participating in livelihood programs funded by the Philippine Government in order to enhance citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and life skills.
During the Regional Farm Youth Camp, several categories were contested, such as Short Film Making, 4-H Agri-Innovation Pitching, and Himig Handog Singing and Songwriting. At the closing ceremony, an award was given by Dr. Maningas, to the following: 4-H Club Laguna, 4-H Club Quezon, and 4-H Club Batangas. The winners represented CALABARZON in the 70th 4-H Club National Convention.
The much awaited 4-H National Farm Youth Convention 2023 with the theme 4-H EVOLVE was held on August 2-4, 2023, in Malay, Aklan where Dr. Maningas and 4-H Focal Roy Roger Victoria II enthusiastically accompanied and supported the CALABARZON delegates. The youth farmers of CALABARZON were praised for showcasing their talents, intelligence, and competence in the range of activities they engaged in. The Agri-Innovation Pitching competition was successful, with Chrisanto Glindro and Leanne Quina Cabangon from the Quezon province bagging 2nd place.
Furthermore, Batangas province's Jeica Dimatatac as the singer and Marwin De Torres as the composer won 2nd place in the 4-H Himig Handog Singing and Songwriting Competition. Michael Cernitchez of Laguna proved that CALABARZON can keep pace when it comes to national trade when he won 3rd place in Promotional Merchandise Making while several 4Hers were final ists in various categories: Benjie Lovado for the National Excellence Achievers Awards, Marites Malijan as Most Outstanding Coordinator, Jayve Mansibang as Most Outstanding 4-H Member and Gilbert Respida in Short Film Making.
Once again, these youth farmers demonstrated how CALABARZON is progressing, and as Dr. Maningas frequently remarked, these young people will support and guide the development of the agricultural industry as well as the fishery in the next years.
DA-ATI CALABARZON will continue fostering a learning atmosphere where young people can discover creative ways to shape the futures of not only themselves but also of their communities and the entire region.