AROUND 800 students from various basic education schools participated in a session of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture's (SEARCA) "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture" at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) on Dec. 14, 2024.
According to SEARCA director Glenn Gregorio, the event which was organized in partnership with UA&P aimed to "inspire young individuals to engage in agriculture and pursue higher education in agriculture and related fields."
Gregorio explained that "Sowing Seeds" is a career orientation initiative organized by the SEARCA Partnerships Unit as part of the Center's Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation or #Y4AGRI program.
He said the program also aims to foster interest in agriculture among the Southeast Asian youth.
Serving as the resource speaker during the event, Francis Perdigon from Perdigon Farm in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte shared his experiences as a Generation Z farmer.
A licensed agriculturist and the first youth Lakbay Bukid awardee, Perdigon highlighted the significance of agriculture and its potential as a promising career path.
His discussion on sustainable agriculture principles focuses on increasing food production, improving food consumption and creating job opportunities.
Stressing the importance of nurturing nature responsibly while strengthening communities and ecosystems, Perdigon also underscored the significant role of the youth in the agriculture sector as preservers of tradition and sources of hope for the future.