Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill to strengthen the involvement of Filipino youth in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Senate Bill No. 2231 will mandate all provincial and city governments to establish Youth Agricultural Hubs that will provide more opportunities and engage the youth in agripreneurship.
“Sa kabila ng pagbagsak ng ekonomiya, nananatiling matatag ang sektor ng agrikultura. Dapat magbukas ng maraming oportunidad para sa mga kabataan upang makiisa sila sa pagpapalago ng industriya,” Hontiveros said.
A similar bill was filed in the lower house by Samar 2nd District Representative Sharee Ann Tan.
The Youth Agricultural Hubs will facilitate extensive training on agriculture, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Aside from attracting the younger demographic, the hubs also aim to make farming more profitable.
“We should keep harnessing the agricultural skills of FIlipino youth.”
“We should keep harnessing the agricultural skills of Filipino youth especially in rural areas, where youth unemployment and underemployment are prevalent,” the veteran legislator said.
“The population of our farmers is aging. Maraming mga kabataan ang hindi interesado sa pagsasaka at ito ay isang malaking banta sa suplay ng pagkain ng buong bansa. Bigyan natin ng puwang ang ating mga kabataan upang makilahok sa pagpapaganda ng food security ng bansa,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The bill also includes the organization of a Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fair that will be held every September on the provincial level, October on Regional level, and November on the national level.
This, according to the lady senator, will serve as a venue for young people to showcase their agricultural products and innovations.
“The Filipino youth is full of creativity and passion.”
“The Filipino youth is full of creativity and passion. We want to nurture their skills, talents, and abilities for them to be able to take part in our economic recovery and create more jobs as entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector,” she stressed.
“Bilang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan, ang pagtugon na ito ay hindi lamang ngayong may krisis, kundi sa mga susunod pang panahon at henerasyon,” Hontiveros concluded.