LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—A new generation of Southeast Asian “climate detectives” is being inspired through the Youth in Agri Talk Show, which aims to build climate awareness and interest in agriculture among young learners across the region.
The show’s fourth episode, “Climate Detectives: The Case of the Changing Climate,” aired recently on Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture’s (Searca) Facebook page has garnered 55,000 views, whose largest audiences were from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.
Featuring agri-tech leader as ‘Chief Detective’
Headlining the episode was Ochie San Juan, chief farmer and co-founder of Mayani, an agri-tech startup that connects farmers to markets.
The show’s “Chief Detective,” San Juan helped young viewers investigate the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as practical solutions for climate-smart agriculture.
Throughout the episode, students from across Southeast Asia posed questions on climate science, water availability, pests, and food security. Among them were:
From the Red Cross Youth San Pablo City Chapter (Philippines): Why climate change matters even when local temperatures do not feel hotter.
From Tarlac National High School (Philippines): The difference between climate change adaptation and mitigation.
From the Red Cross Youth San Pablo City Chapter: Where farmers can source water during prolonged dry seasons.
From Achievers International School in Cambodia: How pests and unpredictable weather patterns damage crops and affect food security.
From SMP Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto in Indonesia: What practical actions young people can take home and in school to protect the planet.
San Juan answered the concerns using simple analogies, comparing weather to a daily “mood” and climate to a longer-term “personality.”
He explained how human activities thicken the Earth’s “blanket” of greenhouse gases, driving global warming and climate change.
Showcasing climate-smart solutions
To highlight climate-smart practices, the show featured a game segment called “Identify the Clue,” which presented practical tools and technologies that farmers can use to cope with a changing climate. Among them are:
Drip irrigation systems that deliver water directly to plant roots and minimize wastage;
Composting practices that nourish soils and help retain moisture; and
Reducing food waste, starting small gardens at home or in school, and speaking up about environmental issues in their communities.
San Juan underscored that it is vital for children and youth to understand how to care for the environment, respond to climate change, and appreciate the farmers and fisherfolk who ensure that food reaches their tables.
Educators welcome meaningful engagement
Teachers welcomed the show’s interactive format and meaningful engagement.
“It was such an honor and valuable experience to be part of this meaningful program. We truly appreciate the opportunity and look forward to future collaborations with Searca in empowering young people through inspiring initiatives,” said Almas Faliq Ahdanai, an educator from SMP Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto in Indonesia.
Innovative platform endorsed by Seameo and DepEd
The Searca Youth in Agri Talk Show adopted an innovative, nonconventional approach to learning designed specifically to spark interest in agriculture among basic education students in Southeast Asia.
Its educational value and regional relevance are supported by official endorsements from the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization and the Philippine Department of Education.
Previous episodes of the talk show have presented agriculture as a viable career path, explored the ecological role of beneficial insects, and highlighted the positive effects of school and home gardens on student development.
The episode was hosted by Searca youth ambassadors Zara Mae Estareja, senior associate for Public Relations, and Joseph Matthew Hedreyda, senior associate for Partnerships and Advocacy, both from Searca’s Partnerships Unit.