NINETEEN Reedley International School science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and two faculty members visited the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in Laguna province for an "immersive journey into the future of agriculture" Oct. 15, 2024.
The Reedley STEM students participated in a session of the learning activity "Sowing Seeds: Cultivating Youth's Future in Agriculture."
The activity was organized by SEARCA's Partnerships Unit as part of the center's banner youth engagement initiative called the Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation or #Y4AGRI.
During the activity, Glenn Baticados, an agribusiness expert, agripreneur and assistant professor of the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) underscored the critical role of youth in agri-entrepreneurship as a driver of economic progress and social upliftment.
Emphasizing the common misconceptions about the sector, Baticados said "agriculture is not just about soil or dirty work."
Coining the term "agri-cool-ture," he also introduced the field as a landscape offering the diverse potential for innovation, from the scientific field to business enterprise opportunities.
While stating that "agriculture is a great equalizer" and acknowledging the risks of going into any business, Baticados noted that the agriculture sector "offers a wide array of possibilities and will always be relevant as there is always a demand for food."
Urging students to "Agree to Agri," he said they also need to explore agriculture as a promising career path that offers both personal fulfillment and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
Also during the session, an inspiring robotics demonstration was led by grade school and high school student-inventors from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba.
SEARCA said 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 Reedley STEM students also visited SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation or SHARING AgriMuseum.
SEARCA said the center continues to champion the inclusion of youth voices and talents in agriculture, empowering young people to pursue agriculture as a career that is viable and vital for sustainable development through programs like Sowing Seeds.