YOUNGER generation of farmers may soon need to take the lead from an aging population of farmers with both the challenge of being both tillers of the land and businessmen to really make a profitable venture.
With aging agriculture sector with 57 years old as the average age of the Filipino farmer, the clock is ticking to make the agriculture sector a lucrative proposition for the next generation of farmers. It is a serious issue as an aging farming population places a dire risk on food security of the nation.
The problem is coupled by fewer younger people entering the business sector. The 2018 Census of Philippine Business Industry released in 2020 showed that the agriculture, forestry and fishing establishments employed a total of 154,910 persons, about 6 percent decrease from the total employed in 2012.
Starting them young
The Department of Agriculture recently launched the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness (Maya) program in Central Luzon to attract the youth in the prospects of starting a career in farming, but not just as a farmer, but an agri-entrepreneur.
The program was formally launched at the Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Lowland Development (CLIARCLD) in Paraiso, Tarlac under the leadership of OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulatory & ILD Arthur Dayrit and Chief of Research Dr. Irene Adion.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), a total of 16 trainees from various provinces of Central Luzon were awarded internship certificates.
Maya is open to all Filipinos, 20 to 30 years old, who should be a graduate of any four- or six-year degree course, preferably on agriculture, fisheries, agribusiness, and other related academic disciplines.
Each of the 16 participants signed a contract which starts their internship on March 15 which will end on the 15th of September.
After their six-month internship, they may either opt to venture into an agri-fishery enterprise for which they may apply for a zero-interest loan with the DA’s Agricultural and Credit Policy Council (ACPC) or pursue a career in the DA or any government agency.
One such program is the Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (Kaya), which offers a non-collateral loan worth P300,000 to P500,000, payable in five years at zero interest.
Interested millennials, 18 to 30 years old, should only present a business proposal for review and assessment. Once their loans are validated and approved, they will be mentored by experts from partner state universities, NGOs, and the private sector.
Project Maya
The Maya Program aims to develop skills and enhance skills when it comes to the agricultural sector within 24 weeks of training. Moreover, interns are prepared for the jobs that await them after training for six months.
"The younger generation needs to be included in agriculture because it is noticed that the average age of the farmer today is 57. We assure that children like you are very dynamic mentally and more aggressive in terms of engaging business," Dr. Irene Adion said.
Coordinated by the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Maya is a 24-week internship program that aims to develop young Filipinos into agri-fishery entrepreneurs or “agripreneurs” or possibly technocrats, training as future leaders of the DA or of their respective communities and local government units (LGUs).
"There are many opportunities to grow not only just planting rice, you can plant rice but after production you still have to do to earn more, these are the other aspects of the value chain that are said," Adion said.
But more than just providing training and skills, the Maya program also aims to change the attitude of younger people toward farming and this seems to somehow work. In fact, few hours after the announcement was posted on social media, on February 9, 2021, calling for applicants under Maya, the DA online system was deluged with interested individuals, exceeding by four-fold the required number of interns.
“It’s a good indication that many of our youth are eager and interested to learn and get involved in agri-fishery enterprises. They are simply waiting for the right opportunity, and that is, through our Maya
platform,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
The agri chief said that given the country’s ageing farmers, the engagement of the youth is a necessary boost to the sector.
“And we have numerous projects in the DA to support students and young agripreneurs to start their agri-fishery enterprise and realize their aspirations,” he added.
He added that the DA, through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), has partnered with Go Negosyo of Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Secretary Joey Concepcion in its “Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program” (KAMMP), a face-to-face mentorship via teleconference of prospective agripreneurs, including the youth.