Introduction
I am Raymart Chico Santiago. Born on December 3, 1994. I currently live in the San Ildefonso also known as the Vegetable Basket of Bulacan.
Career
I currently work for the Department of Agriculture in our province as an agriculturist. Here, we provide latest farming techniques and technologies to assist farmers in having high yield and revenues. We also give them programs and projects that the organization does for them.
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Being an Agriculturist and our Role
Agriculture is an important part of the economy in the country. Despite that Agriculture has the smallest percentage share among the three major sectors (agriculture, industry, service) of the local economy in terms of employment, Bulacan has still significant contribution to food security as a major producer of various crops, livestock, poultry and aquaculture.
Aging farmers is one of the major issue confronting agriculture. The average age of farmers nowadays was 57 years old. Most of their children don't want to go into farming anymore because of the hardship and they don't see the potential. Because of this, the agricultural sector in our country was gradually declining resulting to food shortage and importation. Climate change has also put a challenge to agriculture as rainfall patterns have changed and various pests and diseases have affected our crops. Nevertheless, we have to think of strategies to improve our chances of providing food in every home and making each and every Bulakenyo productive.
Vegetable plays an essential role in human life as source of nutrients; as the cheapest source of natural food; for employment as it provides regular job opportunities especially in rural areas; and for medicinal purposes since it possesses high medicinal value to prevent and cure certain diseases.
Vegetable production in the Philippines has been characterized by fluctuating volume of production. This may be due to decline in the area for cultivation, an increase in the cost of production and some adverse effects of climate change.
If compared to other countries, the Philippines consumes less than half the standard per capita consumption of vegetable. Over 30% of the Philippine population is overweight and malnourished. Therefore, an increase in the availability, affordability and consumption of nutrient-dense vegetable is one way to combat malnutrition.
The situation of the local vegetable industry has put the Province of Bulacan as one of the major suppliers of lowland vegetable to Metro Manila, considering its proximity to the biggest market in the country. Solanaceous crops are being transported and traded daily by farmers particularly from District III and other principal vegetable producing towns of the province. Knowing that vegetables are short duration crops and considered cash crops, their high return on investment are easily realized. This has encouraged many vegetable growers to engage into this farming enterprise in the province.
To address these issues and consistent with the directive of the administration to empower the Filipinos especially Bulakenyos, we the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) are enhancing their capabilities by providing them the necessary and latest technologies and in food production.
That's all and thanks for reading my first post!