The first batch of Dagatan Family Farm School (DFFS) students during their visit to SEARCA on 1 February 2023.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) concluded its one-day agri-innovation learning activities for Dagatan Family Farm School (DFFS) students on 15 February 2023 at the Drilon Hall.
The first batch of students composed of Grades 8, 10, and 12 pupils visited SEARCA on 1 February 2023, while the second batch comprised Grades 7, 9, and 11. A total of 54 student-participants engaged in SEARCA’s learning activities.
SEARCA, through its Partnerships Unit and Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, organized the activity to increase knowledge on modern farm technologies and practices among family farm school students and to spark their interest and awareness of emerging business opportunities in agriculture.
Mr. Ramon Santos, Jr., DFFS School Director, thanks SEARCA for opening a new window of opportunity for their learners to explore agriculture beyond the four walls of the classroom.
Mr. Ramon Santos, Jr., DFFS School Director, expressed his gratitude to SEARCA for opening a new window of opportunity for their learners to explore agriculture beyond the four walls of the classroom. He also highlighted the need to educate the youth and the community that agriculture is attractive and enticing.
“I am very thankful to SEARCA for accommodating the Dagatan Family Farm School students. This is a perfect venue for them to further advance what they know about farming and agriculture. Exciting days ahead because of the many possible collaborative projects between DFFS and SEARCA,” said Mr. Santos.
Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Director, reinforces SEARCA’s mission of elevating the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable and resilient livelihoods and access to modern networks and innovative markets.
“SEARCA’s lifelong objective is to help farming families, which includes you, Dagatan Family Farm School,” Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA Director, told the DFFS delegation on the culminating day. He further reinforced the Center’s mission of elevating the quality of life of agricultural families through sustainable and resilient livelihoods and access to modern networks and innovative markets.
Ms. Lichelle Dara Carlos (leftmost), Program Specialist, Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), demonstrates the AgrinnoQuest digital self-tour to the elementary pupils.
Mr. Jerrel Edric Mallari (leftmost), Project Assistant, EIGD, teaches a group of students how to build their own robotic Lego set (EV3Lab).
After the briefing, the students were divided into two groups: one embarked on a tour of the Center’s facilities that preceded an agri-innovation lecture at the SEARCA Hub for Agricultural and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING) AgriMuseum, and another group underwent a hands-on training on agri-robotics using LEGO robotics kit at the SHARING Café.
Dr. Gregorio (second from left) and Mr. Santos (second from right) each hold a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) they signed on 15 February 2023. Also in the photo are Dr. Nur Azura Adam (leftmost), SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs, and Mr. Alberto Maramot, DFFS Principal.
DFFS and SEARCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for institutional cooperation. The signatories were Dr. Gregorio and Mr. Santos.