Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III is urging Pangasinense youths to be involved in agriculture through various programs aimed at promoting food security and sustainability.

“It is not good if we are not raising animals or planting crops because there will come a time when we will have to rely heavily on imports. We will be at the mercy of other countries,” Estrella said in an interview on Wednesday.

He emphasized that boosting local crop production and livestock farming is essential to ensure the country’s food security.

To encourage more young people to enter the agricultural sector, Estrella announced that DAR will offer scholarships specifically for agriculture-related courses.

This move addresses the declining number of enrollees in such programs.

“We will strongly encourage the youth to pursue agriculture by offering scholarship programs tailored for agri-related courses,” he said.

Under Executive Order No. 75, which mandates government agencies to identify and distribute government-owned lands suitable for agriculture to qualified beneficiaries, graduates of agricultural courses will be given priority. Other priority beneficiaries include rebel returnees and retired personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Graduates of four-year agricultural courses will be the top priority because they can apply modern and scientific farming methods, including advanced livestock raising techniques,” Estrella added.

To attract more young people, DAR is also considering providing allowances to agricultural course scholars. (PNA)