Engage students, enhance their knowledge, skills in agriculture

Secondary School Teacher II, Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School, Division of La Carlota City

I N TEACHING agriculture, classroom instruction and laboratory exercises provide students a foundation of knowledge i n agricultural practices, about crop production, l i vestock management, soil and water conservation, and various other aspects of agriculture. It includes instruction in food education, including nutrition. Agricultural and food education improves the quality of life for all people by helping farmers increase production, conserve resources and provide nutritious food.

It helps to provide students with the personal, academic and career experiences essential for success i n the f i elds of science, business and technology. High school agriculture subject programs consist of classroom/ laboratory instruction and supervised agricultural experiences.

Jaime A. Manalo IV of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) drew out results from studies on the Infomediary Campaign, PhilRice’s youth engagement initiative in agriculture. He emphasized that the since K-12

program is gaining momentum, teachers who handle agriculture-related subjects may have to level-up in nurturing the future workforce that will propel the agriculture sector. Parents influence the youth in pursuing a career in agriculture. Gather the parents to discuss and ask questions on rice production technologies.

“Parents should know what’s going on in the schools. We feel that we need to engage them so they, too, will know how they can benefit from this undertaking,” said Manalo.

In addition, i n a recent study of the Infomediary team, it was revealed that learning tools and strategies matter in effectively teaching climate smart agriculture. Fieldworks and the use of videos, pictures, internet, flipcharts, and PowerPoint presentations are favored by students.

Every youth has a role to play in any segment of agricultural/food value chain. Youths are the primary productive human resource of socioeconomic development. It is, therefore, essential to identify the roles of youth in mainstream development. ( Paid article)