Tagbilaran City – In its quest to glamourize agriculture making it appealing among teenagers while addressing depression and digital addiction, the Agricultural Training Institute – Region VII (ATI-7) recently concluded its blended program (face-to-face and virtual) on AgriTeens on July 12, 2021 live via ATI-7 FB Page and Iyaah Eco Farm, this City.
AgriTeens with the theme “Braving Mental Hygiene in a Digital Environment” was participated by 50 teenagers from Tagbilaran City, Loon, Alburquerque, Sikatuna, Valencia, Talibon and Bien Unido. 20 teenagers attended the face-to-face while the remaining 30 joined thru the virtual platform.
Topics include Mental Hygiene, Digital Addiction and Containerized Gardening. Speakers were Priscilla Fernando & Enrique Felisario of Rainbow Playroom a Psychological Services Center based in Cebu City for the first two topics, while Pablita Cabarles - a Gulayan Sa Paaralan Program (GPP) Implementor of Manga National High School and a Regional Awardee for GPP Implementer 2021 for the topic on containerized gardening with landscaping.
Meanwhile, Iyaah Eco Farm an ATI-7 Learning Site for Agriculture served as the venue for the face-to-face, where participants had the chance to do hands-on activities from soil preparation to planting, making use of the resources in the farm and garden kits provided by ATI-7. A farm tour was also done for them to appreciate farming or venture into agribusiness.
Concurrently, the virtual platform served as an opportunity to avail the services of the Farmers Information Services (FITS) center as participants gathered to watch the AgriTeens. ATI-7 has been giving support to FITS Centers in the entire region by providing them with ICT equipment like laptops, modems and other support services. FITS center serves as a one stop service facility that provides fast access to agricultural information and farming technologies.
When asked about the insights and learning from the activity, Clint Arojado a student/4Her from Doctor Cecilio Putong National High School said: “A lot of learnings I get and wanted it to share it to everyone. AgriTeens offers a lot of amazing information. Depression is very rampant in today’s generation, and if it can’t be treated and handled well it can lead to suicidal intentions,” he said. “I can really appreciate the attention, intentions, and values of the government especially the ATI, for giving a remarkable change to us, a teenager to have an important role on how to protect, give and appreciate the nature that the Almighty God has given to us. I hope that more teenagers will get interested on agriculture, gardening, and landscaping cause it is very helpful to the community and country” he added.
“Thank you ATI- 7 for initiating this project. We need more teens to become Agripreneurs to change the current average age of farmers from 57 y.o. to younger age. Let us support our local farmers. Produce local and buy local enough or even more to support the needs of Boholanos” said Leonardo Cirujales, one of the parent of the AgriTeen participant.
With the knowledge learnt from the event, attendees are expected to establish a containerized garden in their homes. Doris Isabel J. Racho served as host/project officer assisted by May Joy Luzon.