Modern farmers encourage youth to go into farming

CEBU, Philippines —  Modern farmers and successful farming entrepreneurs are encouraging the young people to get into farming may it be as a business or as a career, saying “there is money in farming. The future of agriculture and agribusiness in the Philippines is promising, including the service-driven economy in Cebu.

This is the main message conveyed by the speakers during the opening of the three-day “2023 Entrepreneurship Summit”, one of the flagship events of Cebu Business Months 2023, organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Zooming in to one of the most pressing concerns in “Food Sustainability and Security”, Alvin Hing, chairman and chief executive of Excelsior Farms Inc., (FLI) said there is a need for young people to appreciate modern farming, not only to establish a good career but also to help promote food sustainability and cheaper food prices in the country.

Hing’s company FLI operates a 20-hectare pig farm located in Pinamungajan, Cebu, and it is currently the biggest Swine breeder of swine, and egg farms in Argao, among others.

According to Ricardo Alba, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Unahco, a manufacturer and distributor of veterinary and feed products including swine, poultry, gamefowl, ducks, pigeons quail, dogs, and cats, the Philippines has “low-lying fruit” in the agriculture sector, which is not yet maximized.

Despite the country’s rich soil and vast idle lands, Filipinos, particularly the young breed still have to re-discover the huge potential of money-making in the agriculture sector.

The Cebuano agribusiness top executive, Alba reiterated the need for Filipinos to discover the “gold mine” in agriculture—whether starting a small farm becoming an agri-preneur, or entering the modern farming workforce.

At present, the average age of farmers in the Philippines is 57 years old. The need for young Filipinos to enter the promising agriculture sector is needed.

In Cebu, Alba mentioned the potential of growing yellow corn crops to supply the rising demand for animal feeds.

Likewise, Cebu also has fertile soil to grow white bean cacao, a premium raw material for expensive chocolates manufactured in Belgium, France, Japan, and other countries, said cacao farmer and chairman of Chris Fadriga Nursery and Plantation.

Part of Fadriga’s advocacy is to entice the young generation to take a look at the potential of growing cacao, including the high-value Philippines heirloom cacao.

Aside from crops, Cebu can also take advantage of developing more livestock farms, such as hog, goat, chicken eggs, chicken, and beef.

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed that Cebu is the number one producer of hogs and goats. It is the third largest producer of chicken eggs, fourth in beef, and fifth in chicken.

According to Alba, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., leading the agriculture sector, the country is on its way to regaining its glory and pushing for food security, minimizing the Philippines’ dependence on food importation, particularly rice.

In an earlier economic briefing, economist Bernardo Villegas stressed the country’s need to push for more investments in agriculture and encourage increased

agricultural productivity, to achieve GDP (gross domestic product) by as much as eight percent to 10 percent.

According to Villegas, for the Philippines to surpass its neighbors in terms of economic growth, it has to increase its rate of investments from the low 20 percent to 21 percent of GDP to 25 percent to 40 percent of its GDP.

CBM 2023 Entrepreneurship Summit also showcased other successful agribusinesses entrepreneurs in Cebu like Bobby Adan, the owner of Prutasan Ni Adan, Jonathan Unchuan, owner of Barili Milk Station, and Gumero “Mhy” Cogal, owner of Mhy J’s Refreshment and Dragon Fruit Farm.