The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Rose de la Cruz
The youth won’t go into farming unless technology will be introduced to make work easier.
This was the conclusion reached at a recent media forum of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) that discussed agricultural innovations designed to combat climate change while appealing to the tech-savvy (and tech-dependent) younger generation.
It was noted that the youth shy away from traditional, labor-intensive farming methods, gravitating instead toward more automated, tech-driven approaches, Business Mirror reported.
The forum dubbed “Matatag-Ulan: Smart Agri Solutions during La Niña and Rainy Season,” on September 24, led by the DoST-PCARRD, highlighted that only a few are interested in farming, which had been a persistent problem.
It needed to be analyzed and addressed,according to PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora.
Although digital agriculture has not yet become the go-to choice for farmers, there is a growing interest in integrating advanced technologies, such as drones and sensors, into agricultural practices.
A study published in the Philippine Journal of Science in 2020 revealed that the average age of Filipino farmers in the three major rice-growing provinces is 53 years, indicating a predominantly middle-aged demographic in the agricultural sector.
With an urgent need to shift perceptions of farming, experts believe that incorporating advanced technologies into agricultural practices can attract a new generation of farmers.
Just as the entertainment industry boasts of timeless icons, agriculture has its own “Garden for All Seasons,” or a solar-powered Tower Garden system that thrives in weather conditions. It was introduced by Marvin Cinense, from Central Luzon State University (CLSU), which allows crops to grow vertically with minimal resources, ensuring year-round productivity while protecting against soil-borne diseases and waterlogging. It can be used during El Niño at La Niña,” Cinense explained. The system has already been implemented in various barangays and school gardens throughout Central Luzon.
At Liacong Elementary School in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the Tower Garden was established in rocky, gravelly areas where traditional farming was not feasible. At Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Magalang, Pampanga, the prototype helped prevent crop loss due to waterlogging during the rainy season.
Cinense said a setup featuring 50 towers and solar panels costs approximately P230,000.
Individual towers cost between P1,000 and P4,000 to enhance affordability, with solar panels constituting the most significant cost.
Developed through the DOST-PCAARRD Grants-in-Aid program, Renerio Mucas from Iloilo Science and Technology University introduced a machine that harnesses solar power, supplemented by commercial electricity, to provide an energy-efficient solution for drying crops.
Initially designed for herbal teas and currently being tested on ginger, turmeric, and lamayo (partially dried fish).
Mucas noted that the use of the dehydrator could create job opportunities within local communities, either through production or supplying raw materials for drying.
Prof. Moises Dorado of UP Los Banos presented two key tools developed under Project Sarai: the Community-Level Sarai-Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring System (CL-SEAMS), and the Smarter Pest Identification Technology app. These innovations can help farmers monitor crop health and predict pest outbreaks in near real-time, providing a critical advantage in addressing environmental challenges.
SARAI’s systems utilize satellite remote sensing data to track crop growth, estimate yields, and assess damage caused by pests or natural disasters.
Another is the SpidTECH app that is available on Android that allows users to quickly identify pests by uploading a photo. It features a pest and disease library and provides Global Positioning System (GPS)-based crop advisories such as rice, corn, and cacao.
“Besides image capture, the app collects [GPS] data, timestamps, and user information to track pest outbreaks in specific areas,” he said.
To successfully shift mindsets, structural changes within the education system and support from both government and private sectors are crucial, according to Ebora.
“We should show that agriculture is productive,” he said. “If we show that agricultural crops are thrown away, how can we encourage them [the youth to engage in agriculture]?”
Demonstrating the economic viability of farming is essential for attracting new entrants, Ebora said, “We should change the situation of our being importer,” referring to the need for the Philippines to become less reliant on agricultural imports.