The Department of Agriculture (DA) Sunday urged young Filipinos to consider careers in agriculture to replace the country's aging farmer population and ensure the sustained growth of the farming sector. Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla said that, just like other “white-collar” career paths, agriculture offers countless of opportunities on which the youngsters can work hard to achieve their goals. He was saddened that many students usually shy away from agriculture-related courses, preferring instead careers in more prestigious professions such as law and engineering, despite the many potentials offered by the country's farm and fisheries sector for the country's enterprising young Filipinos. This is why the department has extended its priority thrust not only to boost farm production, but to make agriculture and fisheries more profitable for farmers and fisherfolk to encourage more young investors and stakeholders to enter the agricultural sector. Fondevilla expressed concern that a few has taken interest in farming to replace the country's aging farmer population, adding that the average age of the remaining crop of farmers is about 60 years old. “The problem of an aging farmer sector population is not just in the Philippines. This is also a problem of countries such as Japan, the US and many of our neighboring countries,” he said. “To our youth, you want to have bright possibilities for your future? Consider agriculture,” Fondevilla said during the recent National Awareness Month Celebration. “The future is bright, the future is actually in agriculture.” He said the opportunities in agriculture abound amid the challenges of a growing population and climate change.
