Imagine a future where the skills you hone in online gaming could actually feed a nation. Sounds far-fetched? It's not! A top official is urging Mindanao's youth to see agriculture not as a back-breaking chore, but as a high-tech adventure ripe with opportunity. But here's where it gets interesting: can the same enthusiasm that fuels late-night gaming sessions be channeled into something as vital as food security?
Agriculture Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan believes it can, and he's making a bold appeal to the young people of Mindanao. He wants them to look at farming through a different lens – one that incorporates drone technology, innovative agribusiness ventures, and a sense of national pride. Speaking at the second Mindanao Youth Convergence (MYC) in Cagayan de Oro City, held on November 19th and 20th, 2025, Ampatuan presented a vision where young minds are not just the hope of the future, but the builders of it, specifically for Mindanao.
The conventional wisdom, echoing Jose Rizal, often casts the youth as the 'hope of the motherland.' Ampatuan challenges this, reframing their role as active participants in constructing a brighter tomorrow. He argues that shaping the future of Mindanao shouldn't feel like an overwhelming burden. Instead, he suggests viewing development as an engaging journey, much like navigating the challenges and rewards of a complex video game.
"Let’s just think that we are just playing computer games," Ampatuan proposed. "Sometimes we are very excited. How about if we can think of developing Mindanao as an adventure itself, as a journey filled with purpose and excitement?"
He highlighted the exciting possibilities that arise when technology meets agriculture. Think drone-based seeding and fertilizing, transforming what was once arduous manual labor into a tech-driven operation. "Farming is no longer maghapong nakayuko (all day bent over). With drones, it becomes maghapong nakatingala (all day looking up)," Ampatuan explained. This shift, he believes, makes farming not just less physically demanding but also genuinely exciting for tech-savvy youth.
And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the technology itself, but about the access to that technology and the support systems in place. Ampatuan outlined the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) expanded youth programs, including the Young Farmers Challenge. This program offers substantial start-up grants, ranging from P50,000 to P300,000 for budding agribusinesses, and even up to P500,000 for those looking to scale up their existing operations.
Furthermore, he mentioned that student groups, local youth councils (Sangguniang Kabataan), 4-H clubs, and youth cooperatives can apply for P300,000 grants through the DA’s Agribusiness Grant Program. The DA also offers a range of other initiatives, including youth farm schools, internships at DA research centers and hatcheries, scholarships focused on rice production and machinery, and specialized training for youth-led aquaculture businesses.
Ampatuan emphasized that the increasing integration of technology in every aspect of agriculture, from precision farming techniques to advanced food processing methods, means that young people from any academic background can find a valuable role in Mindanao’s evolving food and energy systems.
"Life can be a game, but you must play it in a manner that will put meaning into your life and contribute to a better Mindanao," he urged, underscoring the DA's commitment to supporting aspiring young farmers and agripreneurs. "You are not passive observers. You can be part of the total effort to make agriculture much, much better in Mindanao."
The MYC, organized by the Mindanao Development Authority, brought together approximately 300 young individuals from across Mindanao. The event centered around the theme of “Promoting the Water, Energy, and Food Nexus Approach for Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development,” highlighting the interconnectedness of these critical resources and the role of young people in ensuring their sustainable management.
But here's a question to ponder: Is simply providing access to technology and funding enough to truly ignite a passion for agriculture in the hearts of today's youth? Or are deeper systemic changes needed to address the long-standing challenges facing the agricultural sector, such as land ownership issues, market access barriers, and the perception of farming as a less desirable career path? What do you think? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!
