Farming in the Philippines is an industry of survival, where the very hands that feed the nation often have the least to eat.
An analysis by the ASEAN Research Center revealed a paradox: the country's rich biodiversity and fertile lands could not save farmers who continue to face challenges in sustainability and long-term growth.
In a fast ageing industry, Philippine agriculture remains a gamble where success is determined by the whims of weather and a farmer's luck.
Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA)'s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) presents a looming struggle in an aging industry where 206, 701 farmers are aged between 60 to 90 years, making up at least 33 percent of the farming population in the country while 198,000 were aged between 46 to 59 years. Younger farmers, or those aged between 18 to 25 years remain a minority group with only 12,988.
A looming generational void, paired with crises on rising costs of fuel and other agriculture inputs, the industry is not only aging–it might even die out.
Alwin Paras is no stranger to these struggles. Raised in a family of farmers and hog raisers who rely on kaingin and other traditional farming methods, he has witnessed these firsthand. Now taking up a bachelor's degree in Agriculture at the Southern Luzon State University, Alwin is preparing to take over the family farm with a goal of transforming it into a more sustainable and technology-driven enterprise once his parents retire.
"Ang naging inspirasyon ko po sa pagkuha ng agriculture course is yung interes ko sa pagsasaka kasi 'yung family po namin ang situation sa farming is almost relying sa traditional farming."
Initially, Alwin's parents were against his decision fearing that becoming a farmer will lead to a life struggling in the mud under the burning sun.
This fear is further backed by gut-wrenching statistics: citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) noted that farmers bear the highest poverty incidence in the Philippines at 31.6 percent, followed closely by fisherfolk at 26.2 percent.
"Nung una kasi sinasabi nila na mag-aral ako ng mabuti para hindi ako humawak ng lupa. Kumbaga marami po akong pangarap na gustong makamit kaya sabi nila na mag-aral ako nang mabuti para hindi humawak ng lupa at hindi mahirapan."
Faced with the reality in the fields, generations of farmers have actively steered their children from following their footsteps and urged them to seek opportunities in the cities or become migrant workers.
"Dati po hindi ko rin gusto yung agriculture na course, pero noong nabigyan tayo ng scholarship dahil ako po ay scholar ng Agricultural Training Institute."
Alwin's interest in hog raising began through 4-H Club, a youth organization involved in agriculture programs and livelihood projects. Through this club, he joined the Department of Agriculture's Young Farmers Challenge, which offers grants to youth engaged in agriculture and agribusiness ventures.
His parents' experience in hog raising did not deter Alwin's interest, but rather further encouraged him to find solutions in making their business more productive.
Growing up in Agdangan, Quezon, Alwin proposed innovations in swine production–a project that would help him win the 2025 Young Farmers' Challenge and help other backyard hog raisers.
"Tayo ay pinalad na maging awardee sa provincial kaya sumubok po tayo sa regional at naging awardee tayo sa regional more on piglet production. Kasi dito po sa Agdangan ay 70 percent of swine production ay nagre-rely po sa traditional breeding."
As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program, Alwin found support from the South Luzon State University through technical guidance and other resources.
The Department of Agriculture recognizes that young people like Alwin are a rarity; few parents actively encourage their children to follow in their footsteps as farmers and hog raisers.
Maria Ella Obligado, Division chief for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at DA CALABARZON, noted that farmers often steer their children from the industry stemmed from their own experiences.
"Yung mga farmer pinu-push nila sa ibang profession 'yung kanilang mga anak kasi nakikita nila na yung traditional view sa isang magsasaka ay hindi nakapag-aral, siya ay mahirap."
A study by the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) confirmed this sentiment, noting that 65 percent of farmers do not want their children to follow their footsteps. The study cited its physical, psychological, and financial demands which remain labor-and-capital intensive with low and uncertain income.
However, farming is a diverse field beyond tilling agricultural lands and catching fish. Technology and mechanization has made it possible for the youth to become involved in agriculture technology and engineering.
"Yung tulong ng kabataan is to adopt technologies that promote climate resiliency and crop insurance."
Obligado added, "They are more receptive to technology dahil ginagamit na nila ito sa pag-aaral so they can really help in propelling this technology. Ang kabataan kasi it's part of their life, natural na sa kanila 'yung cellphone at itong mga bagay na ito they can be the future of agriculture."
Youth involvement in agriculture also opened the industry to technology and farm mechanization, social media exposure, and access to government aid and inputs.
While school breaks offer a chance to help his parents, Alwin is prepared to fully apply his training at the family farm on a full-time basis. With his technical know-how, the Paras family is hopeful for a modernized and sustainable chapter for their family.