Lack of interest of youth in agri noted
STA. BARBARA–An official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed disappointment over the apparent growing disinterest of the young in farming.
Wilfredo Pal-laya, officer in charge of the Department of Agriculture Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center (ILLARC) Satellite Station III, said this is reflected in the drop in the number of students enrolling in agriculture courses.
Pal-laya attributed this to the government’s lack of promotion of agriculture to the public, particularly to the youth, and the distorted perception passed on by the older generation that tilling land is inferior to blue collar and other professional jobs.
“Naging indifferent tayo. I can trace this back to how we were led before by our forefathers. Ako mismo, sabi nila mag-aral akong mabuti para hindi maging katulad nilang nasusunog ang balat sa init ng araw, nagtatrabaho parang kalabaw – kasama at kausap ay kalabaw pa rin. Para hindi ako matulad sa kanila at mabago naman para hindi matulad sa kanila na nakalublob sa putikan. This is very negative,” he said.
“Am also beginning to think that kami na lang yung inaasahan nila mag-provide ng materials. But I believe people are not simply innovative enough to make use of the resources available right in their midst,” he said.
EXCHANGE OF IDEAS
One of the few effective programs that help promote agriculture around the country are the educational field trips under the “Lakbay Aral” program wherein farmers get a chance to visit and interact with fellow farmers in other regions on new ideas and techniques.
Pal-laya proposes that the DA link up with educational institutions and look into ways of incorporating agriculture ‘excursion’ into the curriculum.—Sunshine Erfe-Mallary
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