Program to boost interest for agri-aqua courses among students

A PARTNERSHIP between the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST-PCAARRD) and the academe is expected to boost interest for agri-aqua related courses among high school students.

Tackled in a forum during the 6th PCAARRD Anniversary Celebration, the program, “Students Teachers Agri-Aqua Ambassadors for Innovation and Livelihood (STAIL),” aims to address the decreasing number of students enrolled in agri-aqua related courses.

The downward trend in enrolment in the said field is shown in a comprehensive study on trends, prospects and policy directions in higher education in agriculture, which was published in 2013 by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and PCAARRD.

Along this concern, PCAARRD sees its partnership with the academe as a tool in providing the much needed impetus to achieve the ideal research and development work force for the said sector.

Corollary to this need, the program aims to develop a science and technology culture among public high schools initially in the province of Laguna, and later on in the whole of Calabarzon. The effort is expected to be replicated by the Council’s regional consortia once the program is fully operational.

Speaking before teachers and school administrators during the forum, Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, deputy execu- tive director for Administration and Resource Management and Support Services, explained the importance of addressing the decline in agri-aqua related courses in relation to the increasing demand for food and other farm products in the country.

Dr. Cardenas mentioned students’ poor performance in science, English and Math and how the Council could help along this line through consultation with the academic sector, particularly in the secondary level.

Dr. Nelson A. Lopez, chief aquaculturist from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), explained the proposed policies, standards and guidelines for fisheries which is being prepared by the technical committee for fisheries of which he is a member. He said that the revision was necessary to produce globally competitive graduates in the area of sustainable aqua culture, capture fisheries, post-harvest, and aquatic resource and ecology.