After a successful launch, the Aggie Ps Talk 5.0: AgriCOOLture Youth Champions continues with the second episode featuring guest speakers, Engr. Cherrys O. Abrigo and Mr. Darlon V. Lantican last 3 June 2021. 

The first speaker for the episode is Engr. Cherrys O. Abrigo, founder of Sierreza, a chemical engineer by profession, but an agriculturist at heart. In her talk, she shared her humble experience in helping marginalized indigenous farmers from different parts of the country. She discussed the traditional trade process and how society can further elevate it from fair trade to community-supported agriculture. 

Engr. Abrigo advocates for farmer empowerment through community-supported agriculture. She shared stories of their experiences being with various farmer communities and how they are able to see a change in the farmers, from merely producing to make a sale, to helping themselves, to helping others as well. Looking forward to inspiring more people and businesses to engage in this type of agricultural trade practice, she said “Kung tinutulungan natin ang mga farmers ay tinutulungan din natin ang ating sarili.”

This episode’s second speaker is a very young achiever. Mr. Darlon V. Lantican is currently a university researcher at the Institute of Plant Breeding and has recently placed second in the NAST Talent Search for Young Scientist. Hoping to motivate young people to venture into agriculture, specifically, agricultural research, he shared his presentation, titled “Shaping the minds of tomorrow: What’s in store for the youth in agricultural research?”

Mr. Lantican described research as addressing the problems of today and preparing for the future through the generation of new technologies. He said that agricultural research is Competitive, Optimal, Opportunity-Rich, Lucrative, but not straightforward. He then challenged the youth to look at research in agriculture as an option for a sustainable and fulfilling career. 

Present in the event were IPB Director Rodel G. Maghirang and IPB Deputy Director Fe M. Dela Cueva to give the opening and closing remarks, respectively.

This is the fifth season of the CAFS webinar series, Rebooting Agriculture in the New Normal: Webfresher Courses.

Watch the episode through CAFS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ulzk7R3xUw 

By Alyssa Kaye S. Mojar