IFUGAO Pedro Mayam-o is bent on preserving what is left of the Ifugao rice terraces.
During the 52nd founding anniversary and celebration of the Gotad ad Ifugao, Mayam-o said the deterioration of the terraces is at the priority of the province.
Mayam-o said the push and pull of education as well as high paying jobs in urban areas and abroad may be an option for the youth but pragmatically believes there will be some individuals left to tend to the terraces.
“God is good, not all (youth) will become professionals, all cannot become professionals, and there will always be a fallback of farming for the youth,” he said.
The governor said the youth who are hoped to save the terraces have to be convinced to come back home if farming is the option for them and not tend to land elsewhere.
Ifugao provincial administrator Albert Pawingi said a study to develop two crop seasons is also into play to increase yield as well as profit for heirloom rice farmers of the province.
Pawingi said a study to be funded by the Department of Agriculture for the area of Annno in Hingyon town using organic fertilizer.
The provincial administrator said the two cropping seasons will entice more farmers to stay in the province.
Pawingi also said Senator Cynthia Villar has likewise pledged P21 million for road development leading to farms and gardens to fortify infrastructure needed for locals to continue tending their farms.
In the province there is a growing lack of interest among the youth in farming which could spell the end for the Banaue rice terraces.
The Department of Agriculture said interest in farming declined after high schools shifted emphasis from agriculture to science.
Since then, farming has been relegated to a vocational course, taking a backseat to courses like information technology and nursing.