Taipei, Taiwan - Taiwanese agribusiness student Claire Huang, as part of the 2023 Taiwan Youth Agricultural Ambassadors (TYAA) program, recently emphasized the critical role of the youth in the future of agriculture during her visit to Philippine farms.
According to Philippines News Agency, who witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the sector, agriculture holds immense potential for innovation and technological advancement. She shared her experience in a farming town in Tainan, Taiwan, where she observed an aging farmer population struggling to sell their produce due to limited market access. Huang's internship company initiated a project to buy local mangoes, converting them into mango jams with extended shelf life and attractive packaging. This venture successfully sold 500 out of 900 jars within a month, demonstrating the impact of innovative thinking in agriculture.
Huang's visit to the Philippines, alongside 23 other 'agricultural youth ambassadors', was part of an initiative to share insights on farming and agribusiness with Filipino stakeholders. The delegation, comprising students and experts in various agricultural fields, interacted with executives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), International Rice Research Institute, and other prominent agricultural organizations. They also engaged with local farmers and officials from the Harbest Agribusiness Corp. in Pasig City.
The TYAA Program, which ran from November 12 to 19, aimed to foster exchange of best practices in agriculture. This visit comes at a time when a 2020 research study by retired University of the Philippines anthropology professor Florencia Palis highlighted a growing disinterest among Filipino youth in farming, with many preferring works abroad. Additionally, the majority of farmers discourage their children from pursuing agriculture, citing bleak future prospects in the field.
In response to this trend, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who previously chaired the DA, has been advocating for youth involvement in agriculture to boost sector productivity. Initiatives like the Young Farmers Challenge and DA's scholarships for agriculture-related courses are steps towards attracting more young people to the sector.