ADVANCING AGRICULTURE AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH

JACQUELYN M. TAYAG

A School Garden Project dubbed as the Pampaaralang Taniman ng mga Agribida (PTA) will be implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation, Inc.-Go Negosyo. The project is aimed at advancing entrepreneurship skills in agriculture among the Filipino youth. The PTA project will also establish and institutionalize school gardens in public schools, focusing on the cultivation of short-duration, specific-location crops and commodities. With private sector assistance, the partnership will also enable various Parent-Teacher Associations to take the lead in planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring the school gardens and encourage active participation of the learners. Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte stressed that the country must instill innovative mindsets in the Filipino youth to achieve a truly progressive nation. The Education Secretary said she is excited about the partnership which will develop a responsive curriculum for agribusiness and entrepreneurship. By incorporating realworld examples and hands-on activities, we will help learners grasp theoretical concepts and foster and an entrepreneurial spirit, she said. The Memorandun of Agreement between DepEd and Go Negosyo also have other program components, including Curriculum Integration for Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Education, Mentoring the Mentors Session, Youthpreneur Mentorship Programs, Stakeholder Partnerships, Showcase Agribusiness Events, and Self-liquidating Activity (Adopt-a-School Program).

-oOoTHE AUTHOR IS A TEACHER III AT DOLORES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL