Creative program to engage youth in agri launched Elen

An mid a decline in the number of young Filipi- nos entering rice farming, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) has launched new initiatives to spark interest in agriculture among students.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR Business B2 green zone 2 green EDITOR: CONRADO M. DIAZ JR. SUNDAY I SEPTEMBER 15, 20: By involving the youth aged 10 to 12 in planting the institute's rice paddy art this wet season and by establishing a new compact site called RiceSpark, Karen Eloisa Barroga, DA-PhilRice deputy executive director for development, emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation in agriculture, noting that the average age of Filipino farmers is 56 years as shown by the institute's Ricelytics.

"Introducing children to the art and science of rice farming at an early age fosters appreciation and responsibility toward agriculture while ensuring the continuity of innovation and passion in the field," she said.