Nineteen Grade 12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students from Reedley International School, along with two faculty members, visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 15 October 2024 for an immersive journey into the future of agriculture. The students participated in a session of the Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture, a learning activity organized by SEARCA's Partnerships Unit (PU) as part of the Center's banner youth engagement initiative, the Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI).
Featured in the activity was a presentation by Mr. Glenn Baticados, an agribusiness expert, agripreneur, and Assistant Professor of the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). His talk underscored the critical role of youth in agri-entrepreneurship as a driver of economic progress and social upliftment.
"Agriculture is not just about soil or 'dirty work,'" Mr. Baticados said, emphasizing the common misconceptions about the sector. He coined the term "agriCOOLture" and introduced the field as a landscape offering the diverse potential for innovation, from the scientific field to business enterprise opportunities.
"Agriculture is a great equalizer," he noted. Acknowledging the risks that come with going into any business, Mr. Baticados highlighted that the agriculture sector offers a wide array of possibilities and will always be relevant as there is always a demand for food.
Mr. Baticados urged students to "Agree to Agri" and to explore agriculture as a promising career path that offers both personal fulfillment and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
Letran Calamba's junior high school robotics team demonstrates their prototype called TempHydroponics.
Reedley International School students visit the SHARING AgriMuseum.
The session also included an inspiring robotics demonstration led by grade school and high school student-inventors from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. Their inventions showcased youth-led solutions aimed at improving agricultural practices and highlighted the role of technology in addressing real-world challenges in agriculture.
The students concluded their day with a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum.
Through programs like Sowing Seeds, SEARCA continues to champion the inclusion of youth voices and talents in agriculture, empowering young people to pursue agriculture as a career that is not only viable but also vital for sustainable development.