Farm school students train on agri-robotics

THE Philippine-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) conducted on Wednesday training on agri-robotics for learners and educators of the Dagatan Family Farm School (DFFS) in Batangas.

According to Searca headed by Director Glenn Gregorio, the agri-robotics training is part of a one-day learning activity that will be the first collaboration between Searca and DFFS, which is located in Lipa, Batangas and has the distinction of being the first family farming school in Asia.

He said the learning activity was conceived on Jan. 13, 2023 when Searca officers and DFFS staff, DFFS school director Ramon Santos Jr. and DFFS school administrator Jeremy Feria expressed their desire to advance the learning of their students and incorporate agrirobotics in their curricula.

Gregorio said the learning activity aims to promote agri-innovation among family farm school students; provide experiential learning on agri-robotics among family farm school students and teachers; and foster a mindset on how agriculture can be a creative and interesting field among the youths.

The activity includes hands-on training on agri-robotics using Lego education kits, an agri-innovation lecture and a tour of Searca and its facilities, the Searca Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation, or Sharing, which includes an AgriMuseum and a café.

Sharon Malaiba, Searca unit head for partnerships, said these activities are facilitated by Searca through its Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, or EIGD.

“These experiential learning activities will serve as an open portal for enhanced critical thinking, increased interest and curiosity, and more opportunities for the youth to venture and get excited about smart agriculture,” Malaiba added.

Searca’s support to DFFS is aligned with its priority focus on gender and youth engagement in agriculture and rural development under its current strategic agenda focused on Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation, or Attain.

Searca is headquartered on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna.