Amidst a waning farming culture across Southeast Asia, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) plans to erect and AgriMuseum as an alternative approach to educating the younger generation on the importance of agriculture in terms of food security, survival and overall development of economies in the ASEAN region.
"Seeing the AgriMuseum's value in drawing attention to agriculture as a field of study, a future career and a lucrative livelihood, it has already gained the support and endorsement of the education ministers of the 10 ASEAN countries plus Timor-Leste," affirmed SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., who presented the museum's concept in the biennial meeting of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization held in Jakarta, Indonesia, last month.
The AgriMusem is set to erect next to the SEARCA headquarters on the campus of University of the Philippines Los Baños, the $1.8-million education facility is planned to be a major destination in the planned science ecotourism program of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation Inc., which SEARCA is a staunch supporter and founding member of.
The AgriMuseum is envisaged to benefit not only the youth but also the development practitioners, policy- and decision-makers, researchers and media professionals. The SEARCA invites all interested stakeholders and parties to partner in establishing this important education facility.
