Young Farmers Open Letter Entry #6: Russell Z. Deocariza, Philippines

I am Russell Zolas Deocariza, a young farmer-member of the Golden Parauma Agriculture Cooperative in the Philippines.

At a young age, I already engaged in farming even if my family does not own land. From my years of farming, I experienced hardships and hindrances, but I still dream of a better life in the future. When I joined the cooperative, I started receiving support. It is through the cooperative that I realized that farming is the best job ever. So, I decided to continue farming.

Now I am a leader of the Young Farmers Group of the Cooperative. I trained and received my certificate in Organic Agriculture from a government institution. As a serious farmer now, I became aware of the following concerns: lack of farming equipment and lack of support for young farmers and other farmers that remained in the clutches of poverty.

Policymakers should give appropriate support to make agriculture a more attractive career. Farming must not be equated to poverty. Let us get rid of the mindset that if you are a farmer, you are poor. We should develop our agriculture using modern technology. Then the young people can be motivated to engage in agriculture.

To our legislators, please take action to empower young people through the passage of the Magna Carta of Young Farmers to complement RA 8044 – Youth in Nation Building Act of 1995. Allocate sufficient funds for the implementation of the law. Ang Kabataan ay Pag-asa pa rin ng Bayan! (The youth is still the hope of the nation.)

Russell Z. Deocariza
Philippines