Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna---To promote agriculture as a decent and income-generating profession among young Filipinos, a national quiz bee via Kabataang OA was mounted recently. The said quiz bee is one of its strategies to promote indigenous but economically viable technologies that will entice the youth to pursue a career in farming.

The activity was attended by the 15 regional winners of the Kabataang OA organized by the ATI Regional Training Centers in the months of August to October 2019, various coaches from different schools/colleges/universities and Regional Organic Agriculture point person from the ATI-RTCs of the country.

For Region-X, first Kabataang OA regional winner Ezekiel L. Gutay represented Northern Mindanao finishing up third place in the National Kabataang OA 2019. Ms. Gutay is a second year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) student in Xavier University (XU).

“It was nerve-wracking since being there in the venue with the rest of regional winners was overwhelming enough plus the fact that I represent Region-X also put a little knot in my stomach. I did my best during the competition proper without any expectations. I really did my best and I’m happy with my placement. For a first timer like me, I am happy with it.” Ms. Gutay said regarding her national win.

Another objective of the activity is to encourage more young people to perceive farming as a profitable business and a rewarding career. “This not only for the contest, I wanted you (participants) to inculcate into your minds to love agriculture and transform your learnings into actions on how to help the agriculture industry”, ATI-Central Office Director Alfredo S. Aton stressed in her message during the opening ceremony.

The 1st National Kabataang OA Quiz Bee was held at BSP International Hotel, Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna. (with reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist-II)