By Pearl Gumapos
Ever since the start of the pandemic, more and more youth have become interested in farming, fishing, and the agricultural sector.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) established the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to address the growing interest in the agricultural sector.
DA ATI Director Rosana Mula on Saturday (Feb. 26) said the ATI is a “capacity builder” focused on enhancing or unlocking professionalization among participants.
“Ito po ang ahensya na capacity builder ng mga iba’t-ibang stakeholders natin sa agriculture. Ito ay leading towards professionalization gaya po na ating mga extension workers, mga kabataan, at iba-ibang kliyente, lalong-lalo na ang mga farmers,” Mula said during the OneDA sa TV program.
“Iyong 18 to 24 years old, ito po ang median age na ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mga country na pinakamaraming kabataan. Kung hindi natin tutulungan ang ating kabataan, dahil, as Rizal said, sila ang future ng ating industriya,” she said.
Mula said that if the youth aren’t allowed to engage in the agricultural sector, food security might become an issue, especially since most farmers today are aging.
“Kung hindi natin sila bibigyan ng mga various opportunities or resources, anong mangyayari sa atin? So, mawawalan tayo ng food security. Magkakaroon ng problema, and kapag hindi natin natugunan ang challenge ng agrikultura, it will be a big problem for us sa Philippines.” – bny
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