LOS BAÑOS, Laguna: Focusing on insects in agriculture, the "Youth in Agri Talk Show" is returning for its second episode on the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Facebook page on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at 7 p.m.
SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said the episode titled "Winged Warriors: The Unsung Heroes of Agri-Land" will dive into the fascinating world of insects and explore their crucial role in agriculture and the ecosystem.
He said the SEARCA "Youth in Agri Talk Show" aims to promote agriculture and its importance to Southeast Asian youth, particularly those in basic education.
On May 26, 2023, the center aired the talk show's first episode titled "Agri 101 for the Youth" via Facebook with the SEARCA director as a guest.
The center said the episode was a huge success, garnering more than 47,000 views. It featured two Philippine basic education schools, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba and Dagatan Family Farm School.
In this second episode on www.facebook.com/seameo.searca, Nur Azura Adam, SEARCA deputy director for programs and an entomologist, will be featured as a guest expert.
Highlighting the importance of educating young people on the contributions of insects to agriculture and the ecosystem, Nur said there is a misconception that most insects are pests but "only 5 percent of them are harmful to the ecosystem."
She said the majority of insects are beneficial to agriculture and play a significant role in regulating and balancing the ecosystem.
Students from HFSE International School based in Singapore, SMK Seri Jempol based in Malaysia and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba based in the Philippines will participate during the episode.
Nur noted that while the SEARCA "Youth in Agri Talk Show" is a nonacademic and nonconventional approach to learning, "it provides a more relaxed platform where students can ask what's lingering in their minds and engage with agriculture experts."
To watch the SEARCA "Youth in Agri Talk Show Episode 2," the center provided a trailer at https://bit.ly/3HWmzkt.