PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — An ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Palawan urged local government units (LGUs) on Tuesday to inspire their youth to go for careers in agriculture and fisheries and take over family farming and food supply.
Board Member Clarito Prince Demaala IV said the majority of the youth nowadays are into careers dealing with modern technology, leaving behind farming and threatening food security.
“Karamihan sa mga millennials ngayon ay ayaw ng mag-stay sa mga bayan nila at gusto na lang sa city. We all know na Palawan is blessed in the sea and farmlands, so dapat ma-encourage sila na kahit papaano, kahit iba ang gusto nila sa buhay, sana kung ang parents nila ay farmer dapat i-practice din nila (Most of the millennials these days no longer wants to stay in their towns, they all want to live in the city. We all know Palawan is blessed in the sea and farmlands, so they should be encouraged even if they want something different, even if they want their lives to be different if their parents are farmers at least help in farming),” Demaala said during the regular session.
He said encouraging the youth to pursue careers in agriculture and fisheries does not mean he does not recognize the importance of other academic paths but he wanted to promote farming and fishing livelihood.
Demaala said that a survey conducted recently said the average age of the Filipino farmers is 50 to 52. This means Filipino youths have become less interested in agriculture and fisheries.
“Nagkakaroon ng pangamba na someday ‘yong ating mga farmers at fisherfolks ay mawawalan na ng magmamana sa sakahan at pangisdaan. Kaya sana ang mga parents na farmers ay maituro at maipraktis ng kanilang anak ang kanilang kinagisnan na hanap-buhay (There is worry that someday there will be fewer people to till lands and go fishing. It is our hope that parents can pass on their farming and fishing skills to their children for livelihood),” he said.
The provincial board member said if the worry is about less income, there are already many opportunities in agriculture and fisheries these days and related careers are now being offered to ensure higher profits.
The local and national governments are also not stopping in making sure that technologies are upgraded and that agricultural and fishing programs and projects are being offered, Demaala added. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
