Why more Filipinos should build a career in agriculture (Sabong News)
Author
MB Business
Date
APRIL 04 2022
In the Philippines, there’s been a pronounced disinterest in agriculture as a career in the past several years. Between 2008 and 2018, the share of agricultural workers in the local workforce dropped from 35% to 26%, meaning there are fewer farmers today compared to the previous decade. In addition to that, Filipino farmers have an average age of 57 years old. Many of them are reaching their retirement years, and with the younger generation unwilling or unable to take the mantle, it is feared that the workforce will become extinct in the near future.
Farming is far from a glamorous line of work, but it’s central to ensuring food security of the country. Aside from the noble prospect of playing a central role in keeping the population fed, young people also stand to benefit from starting and pursuing a career in agriculture. This is because:
The Philippines is home to a diverse flora and fauna, and it has plenty of areas with the right soil conditions for growing fruits, vegetables, grains, and other produce for domestic and export use. The country has about a million hectares of agricultural land and over 90% of this is used to grow industrial and food crops, including rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, and other produce that present a notable contribution to the Philippines’ GDP.
To ensure that their communities have a stable supply of their staple food, farmers have the option to plant a rice variety in the Philippines that is best suited to their needs and goals for their farm. A farmer’s job remains to be a hard one, but the abundance of fertile lands makes it easier for agricultural workers to yield a good harvest and provide their communities with nutritious food.
In 2021, agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) accounted for 10.1% of the country’s GDP. Plus, farming remains to be one of the main sources of livelihood for many Filipino families. Now, many farming families still have a hard time accessing the necessary agricultural inputs and resources, but there are programs in place to help make farming more sustainable and profitable for agricultural workers.
The development of many farm-to-mill and farm-to-market roads under the current government’s ongoing Build Build Build program is expected to help make it easier for farmers to sell their produce as well as access technologies and services that will enhance the productivity of their farms. Aside from infrastructure projects, many young farmers can also depend on agricultural credit and financing programs from the Department of Agriculture and other related agencies. The funds from these initiatives can be used to improve farming practices and help farmers have better access to farming tools and systems.
Digital technology is finding more and more use in the agricultural sector. There are places where you can automate the addition of water and fertilizer to the ground, and such a system can help farmers maximize their profits while keeping their overhead costs down. It can still be a long time before Filipino farmers can see such high-tech systems implemented on their own farms, but the good news is that many agricultural workers are receiving training that will help them set a solid foundation for such an upgrade. The next generation of farmers can continue to do what their forebears started and make use of more advanced technologies to make their operations more efficient and practical.
Many young people are not too keen on taking agriculture-related career paths, fearing that their families won’t be able to afford the needed college or university training and recoup the cost of their education. It’s a practical concern that needs equally practical answers. The good news is that there are organizations that offer scholarships to students who want to become a part of the country’s agricultural sector. For example, the Land Bank of the Philippines is offering a scholarship program called “Landbank Gawad Patnubay” for deserving students who want to get into farming and fisheries. There are plenty of other similar initiatives to encourage prospective farmers to fulfill their potential and play a role in revitalizing the country’s agricultural sector.
Of course, there’s still much to be done to ensure that the next generation of farmers is able to work in an environment that promotes their growth and improves their chances of success. To continue meeting the needs of the country and maximizing the economic opportunities presented by the export market, the agriculture industry must receive adequate support from the government and the Filipino people. Moreover, the training grounds for young farmers–academic and research institutions alike–must be updated and consistently improved so that the country’s agricultural sector can meet its full potential.
With the combined efforts of newbie and seasoned farmers, public and private agencies, and the greater population, the Philippines can become more food secure and regain its role as a major contributor to agricultural innovation and technology.
