FARMING IMMERSION. Students of the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College and Piddig National High School learn to plant corn through direct drilling or zero tillage while in immersion at the 4-H Club in Sulbec, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte Friday (Nov. 22, 2019). The program is part of the school immersion program where they are mentored by practicing farmers for at least a month. (Photo courtesy of Crisner Lagazo)
LAOAG CITY -- Ilocos Norte province is gearing up towards improving agricultural education beyond classrooms as senior high school students in the province got instructions from a group of outstanding farmers in the province who are passionate in sharing their expertise to young individuals who are now interested in promoting sustainable agriculture.
In Sulbec, Pasuquin town, at least 25 students from the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College and Piddig National High School were out in the fields last Friday as they planted corn using zero tillage technique.
Their mentor, Crisner Lagazo said zero tillage means a crop is sown directly to the soil as a practical solution to reduce soil and wind erosion while conserving soil nutrients and water.
The 4-H Sulbec Pasuquin Youth Club which Lagazo represents as president was recognized by the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation, Inc. and the National Youth Commission in the 15th edition of TAYO Awards for actively involving the youth in agricultural and community development.
For him, seeing the students happy at what they are doing makes him fulfilled and excited for the future. With the aging population of farmers, Lagazo said he decided to quit his job as a school teacher in Pasuquin town and instead focus on farming.
His calling as a teacher, however, never stops as students visit him in the farm where he teaches them actual organic and integrated farming practices.
As active partner of the local government unit and other research and development agencies, including non-government entities which are assisting farmers improve their way of life, Lagazo said these agriculture innovations are worth sharing to these kids for them to appreciate the life of a farmer and be proud of it now and in the future.
Since 2011, the growing young farmers group in Sulbec village continues to lure students and out-of-school youth to venture into vegetable farming and goat raising among others, using latest breakthroughs in agriculture.
“Coming from a family of farmers, I came to realize the beauty of farming and how to sustain it through organic farming practices. But not everyone wants to become a farmer, so, we are encouraging more millennials to join our cause and be one of us,” he said. (PNA)
