A LAWMAKER has proposed a new approach to “effectively raise public awareness over the indispensable role that agriculture plays in the planet’s survival,” and attract the youth to actively participate in this sector.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan termed his scheme as “agricoolture,” adding that present and future generations must come together to “create a brighter, greener, and bluer future” for farmers, fisherfolk, consumers, industry stakeholders, and the rest of the planet.
One way to realize this goal is to package agriculture and its related industries, such as fisheries and aquaculture, as “cool” endeavors to make people pay attention and take part in them, Yamsuan said.
“Instead of saying ‘agriculture, I would say ‘agriCOOLture’. Why? Because we have to make agriculture cool. When something is cool – people pay attention, people care, people want to take part in it. We cannot do something about anything we have no knowledge about,” Yamsuan told participants this morning at the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP).
As explained earlier by Yamsuan, these “cool” initiatives include tapping the power of social media to inform the public that agriculture and fisheries are not focused solely on tedious tasks such as planting and fishing, but can be profitable enterprises using digital tools for the tech-savvy Filipino youth.
“By making agriculture, and relevant industries such as fisheries and aquaculture cool, we can raise awareness of their importance, and crucially, attract the attention of the youth – the future stewards of these sectors. Without their participation, sustainable agri-futures may be a distant goal,” Yamsuan said.
The ECCP’s 7th edition of its Sustainable Agriculture Forum has for its theme “Cultivating Sustainable Agri-Futures: Nurturing Livelihoods, Harvesting Innovation.”
“I commend the officers and members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and everyone here today for your dedication to driving positive change in the agricultural and fisheries sectors through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy for sustainable policies,” Yamsuan said.
As chairperson of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, Yamsuan presented before the forum the accomplishments of the Congress to increase productivity, create high-quality jobs, and enhance trade and investments in Philippine agriculture.
These include the enactment of seven laws for the construction of fish ports and 35 fish hatcheries in various parts of the country to help modernize the agri-fisheries sector, Yamsuan said.
In the present 19th Congress, Yamsuan said a total of 114 measures have been successfully passed on third and final reading by the House of Representatives, which included the creation of the Manila Bay Aquatic Resources Management Council that would ensure the consistent and effective adoption and implementation of policies and programs by relevant government agencies and local government units across Manila Bay.
The House has also made good on a 25-year old promise by approving a bill aimed at establishing resettlement areas that would shield fisherfolk from natural calamities, Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan also cited the declaration of General Santos City as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines; and the establishment of fish hatcheries, fish ports, and other post-harvest facilities that would further strengthen the infrastructure network for the fisheries sector as among the noteworthy bills approved by the House on final reading.
Both houses of the Congress have also passed the proposed Blue Economy Act, which establishes a comprehensive and integrated framework for the effective stewardship of the nation’s seas and coastlines, Yamsuan said.
Awaiting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signature, the measure focuses on safeguarding and preserving marine and coastal ecosystems through robust institutional mechanisms for monitoring and regulatory enforcement.
“Additionally, it fosters international cooperation and engages multiple stakeholders in upholding the nation’s rights under international law,” Yamsuan said.
“Lastly, it promotes marine science, technology, and innovation programs to capitalize the growth of the blue economy,” he added.
Past and present Congresses have also called for the establishment of a dedicated Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, while the President has included in the list of priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) a measure to further amend the Fisheries Code with the goal of incorporating and strengthening science-based approaches for identifying fishing areas.
“Let us commit ourselves to realizing a vision of sustainable, inclusive and resilient agriculture and fisheries sectors. By working together, let us shape agri-futures that nourish livelihoods, stimulate innovation, and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations,” Yamsuan said.
