Scholarship caravan held to increase graduates in agri-fishery courses

To address several constraints in food production and sustainability, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas launched the Agriculture and Fisheries Scholarship Information Caravan in Iloilo City on April 25 in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VI. 

Themed “Kabataan sa Agrikultura Para sa Bayang Masagana,” the scholarship caravan is aimed at encouraging the youths, particularly the Senior High Schools, to pursue higher education in fields like Agriculture, Fisheries, Agricultural Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, and other related disciplines as potential career paths. 

In his video message, the DA Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia commended the different government agencies offering scholarship programs, highlighting the importance of education as a game changer in rural and agricultural development.

“Ang susi at pundasyon ng matatag na ekonomiya ay nanatiling agrikultura. Kaya alam natin na nasa tamang daan ang mga kabataan dahil nagagabayan sila at nabibigyan ng pagkakataon sa pamamagitan ng binubuksan ninyong scholarships,” Director Arpia said.

As a response to the aging population of farmers and a dwindling number of youths showing less interest in farming and agribusiness, the DA Western Visayas provided the platform to its attached bureaus and other agencies, including the Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to showcase the benefits they are providing to deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds who would want to pursue a career in agriculture and fishery.

The scholarship coordinators detailed their program offers, documentary requirements, qualifications, and benefits. They also provided guidance and counseling to students on the application procedure and the possible job opportunities or entrepreneurial pursuits they could enter when they graduate from agri-fishery-related courses.

DepEd Division of Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Ernesto F. Servillon Jr. commended the support of the DA and its attached line agencies, which give prime importance to the roles of the youth in fostering development in the agriculture sector through scholarships.

 He noted that DepEd is also implementing and campaigning for programs that contribute to food security, such as establishing 26 Farm Schools in Region 6.

“We have two established farm schools here in Iloilo, one in San Joaquin and another in Brgy. Jayobo, Lambunao, while the validation for two other farm schools in Janiuay and New Lucena is ongoing. This is a manifestation that DepEd is considering agriculture as an important part of the learners’ curriculum,” he added.

On the other hand, DA Western Visayas’ Regional Information Officer, James Earl Ogatis, hoped that this scholarship caravan could help attract new breeds of scientific-based farmers and fishers, agriculturists, researchers, extension workers, veterinarians, and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Over 150 Grade 11 students from Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Memorial High School in San Lorenzo, Guimaras, Jelicuon-Cabugao Nation High School in New Lucena, Santa Barbara National Comprehensive High School, Dueñas General Comprehensive High School, Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School, Pototan Nuevo National Comprehensive High School, and Jayobo Farm School in Lambunao, Iloilo. The caravan was also graced by the faculty representatives from Guimaras State University, Northern Iloilo State University, and  Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology who also presented their academic offerings. The DA will also conduct the caravan in other provinces in Western Visayas this May. ###Texts by SMHToreno & Photos by KDCaldina & AMSTabura/DA-RAFIS 6