CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado urged the youth of today to engage in agriculture during the Rising of the Young Farmers Era: Regional Youth Camp, October 5. 

Spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center-10 in partnership with the region’s 4-H Club, the affair features the sharing of innovations and best practices of young successful agripreneurs. Via the virtual platform, Collado emphasized that agriculture constitutes the foundation of food security and the youths are the future of food security.

He reinforced on encouraging the youth to undertake any agri-related endeavors by promoting the different farming technologies and other forms of assistance that the government can offer, especially thru the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness (MAYA) and the Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) programs. 

MAYA is an internship program that aims to develop youth into agripreneurs while KAYA provides financing assistance to the youth. 

“The agriculture sector needs committed and passionate millennials to advocate for the development of the agriculture sector of the country,” he said. 

“Careers in agriculture and forestry make up one of the largest industries and sources of long-term employment in the country, providing jobs for millions of Filipinos. These careers supply us with a multitude of food products and alternative energies, among other important resources for sustaining our country and contributing to the world’s economy,” the agri chief added.

The said three-day youth camp will highlight the role of the youth in agri development, kicking it off with a capability building of the 4-H club officers and members. 

The 4-H club comprises the youth who are single, ages from 15 to 30 years old, where membership is open and voluntary underscoring the involvement in community-based projects in agriculture and homemaking. (DA-10/PIA-10)