To promote smart agriculture among farming youths, the Philippine-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in collaboration with the Dagatan Family Farm School (DFFS) conducted agri-innovation learning activities for this segment of society.
SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio said a total of 54 student participants from the Barangay Dagatan, Lipa City-based DFFS visited and engaged in the center's learning activities in Los Baños, Laguna.
The one-day agri-innovation learning activities for DFFS students were organized through SEARCA Partnerships Unit and Emerging Innovation for Growth Department.
Two batches of DFFS students visited SEARCA for the activities. The first batch was composed of Grades 8, 10, and 12 pupils while the second batch comprised Grades 7, 9, and 11.
Gregorio said the learning activities aimed 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.
DFFS School director Ramon Santos Jr. thanked 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," Santos said.
He said exciting days are ahead because of the many possible collaborative projects between DFFS and SEARCA.
Also during the event, Gregorio told the DFFS delegation that SEARCA's lifelong objective is to help farming families, which includes the Lipa City-based farm school.
He also gave emphasis on 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.
After the briefing, the DFFS students were divided into two groups.
One group 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 or Sharing AgriMuseum. The other group underwent hands-on training on agri-robotics using a Lego robotics kit at the Sharing Café.
A memorandum of understanding for institutional cooperation was also signed by Gregorio for SEARCA and Santos for the DFFS.
