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Agriculture Secretary William Dar aims to transform Philippine agriculture into a competitive industry that has “smart farms” with vast scientific and technological applications from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
To achieve this, he wants young and innovative Filipinos to become managers and catalysts for the industry, as the ranks of the country’s farmers are aging and will be retiring soon.
During the 2020 Future Science Leaders Forum held by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Dar underscored the key role of youth in building the foundations for food-safe, resilient and industrialized Philippine agriculture.
“Today the average age of our farmers ranges from 57 to 60, which means it will only be a matter of time before they retire and thereafter we see a decrease in the agricultural workforce of 10 millions that feed our compatriots. Therefore, engaging young people is an imperative to maintain our progress towards a nation with full food security, ”he said.
To attract the younger generation, DA is striving to achieve “Agriculture 4.0,” where various Industry 4.0 technologies, such as digitization, will level the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector.
“We believe that the best way to keep the wheels of innovation rolling is to influence the younger generation to take an interest in the vast and fascinating world of science. Born at a time when technological sophistication defines competition, Filipino youth definitely have a lot to offer on our Agriculture 4.0 agenda, ”said Dar.
Under Industry 4.0, the agricultural sector will employ new and cross-cutting technologies to increase efficiency in the food chain. Some of these include cold storage, global positioning system, internet connectivity, hydroponics, drones, blockchain, production of raw material from algae, agriculture in the desert, use of seawater for irrigation, expanding the use of bioplastics. and genetic modification.
In one of his previous columns in The Manila Times, Dar emphasized that Industry 4.0 should perfectly complement the basic concepts that should result in a significant increase in agricultural yields and, more importantly, higher incomes for both small farmers. as well as for agro-industrial companies.
The Agriculture chief said the Philippines “had no choice” but to equip itself for Agriculture 4.0 given the many challenges facing the agricultural sector, in particular from climate change and globalization. He also said that Agriculture 4.0 should lead to smart farms.
“With technology, we envision smart farms built and managed by millennials and X-Gens. We want to bring dignity and prosperity to agriculture, thus attracting more people to agriculture, ”he added.
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