Sad Truth About Philippine Agriculture

Retrieved from Tisha Ambal's photos of APEX trip

Having been toured by the COO of the farm, I gained numerous insights on technologies and business models for farm management. I also had a glimpse of what the landscape of Philippine agriculture would be for the next 5 years. Most opportunities are promising but there is something that caught my attention:

By the time the ASEAN integration is implemented, local farmers will be displaced from the market. They will not be able to compete with their traditional practices and lack of technical knowledge. Standardization will cripple them. 

It seems that the scene of agriculture will be dominated by the same business tycoons that occupies the lights of the metro. It will no longer be a living for the poor farmers, but rather a game field of the rich. This is anything but saddening for an agribusiness student. The "ka-ching" sounds so heavenly upon hearing market prospects. Yet one part of me felt so deeply appalled...

How can one be so happy, living in a country where most people are impoverished. 60% of the labor force are directly involved in agriculture. All people need food. If agriculture falls, everyone else falls.  

By God's grace, I know that Philippines will be a prosperous nation someday. But it will need leaders who will drive the progress. By leaders I don't necessarily mean government. Leaders can come from anyone. 

To all the Filipino youth out there, I challenge you to take a bolder step. Invest in yourself. Better your understanding in your chosen field. This is the only way that we can be equipped in the economic battleground ahead.