Los Baños, Laguna—An intergovernment treaty organization hosted by the Philippine government has opened a photo contest on vibrant images that depict enterprising and innovative Southeast Asia young “agripreneurs” who are actively engaged in agriculture now and in the future.
Launched by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, the photo contest is open to all nationals of the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Leah Lyn Domingo, SEARCA public relations specialist, said this year’s competition aims to capture scenes that illustrate the theme “Cultivating Southeast Asia’s Youth Agripreneurs.”
She said the photo contest sub-themes are innovative farming, agricultural entrepreneurship, maximizing information and communications technology (ICT), and the agriculture-education link.
“The intent is to highlight the potential of the youth in transforming the Southeast Asian agriculture landscape and inspire enthusiasm among the young to be involved in agriculture,” Domingo said.
She said that of the five photographs which will be selected, the first place winner will receive US$1,000 while winners of the second and third places will get US$800 and US$500, respectively.
A People’s Choice award will receive US$200and that there will also be special prizes for the Department of Education Secretary’s Choice and the SEARCA Director’s Choice, Domingo.
She said all entries must be submitted online at https://photocontest.searca.org/ until 30 November 2019.
Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Director, explained that “agripreneurs” or “transfarmers” are agricultural entrepreneurs who combine business opportunities with agriculture and create their own business to generate income and employment.
He said the youth is the future engagement of any given country and they should be invested in, properly guided and directed, so they will become good leaders and the catalyst for economic, social, and cultural development.
“SEARCA wants the youth to see the agriculture sector as an attractive business proposition that will earn a decent living, allow them to stay with their families, and one that will create a vibrant rural economy in their communities,” Dr. Gregorio said.
Stressing that the youth should be seen as an advantage, Dr. Gregorio said the young Southeast Asians are a strong potential for a bright future in the agriculture sector.
