𝗖𝗦𝗥 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗟𝘂𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀

In an effort to capacitate the youth and support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA), through its Regional Chapter 10 President and DA RFO X Regional Technical Director for Operations, Dr. Carlota S. Madriaga, organized the Training on Hydroponic Garden Establishment and Turnover Ceremony at Luyungan High School in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last 19 November 2024. They invited PAA CSR Chair, Dr. Jessica D. Rey, to serve as a Resource Person during the training.

More than 30 high school students, teachers, and enthusiasts participated in the specialized hands-on training where they learned about the hydroponic system and its difference from the traditional soil-based farming practices.

This empowering training aimed to equip the students with knowledge, skills, and aptitude in modern agricultural practices toward a sustainable farming system. It also addressed common issues in setting-up a hydroponic garden, and plant nutrition requirements and care under the said system.

As a CSR activity, the training has several impacts on the youth of Luyungan. By learning about soil-less gardening, they gain valuable marketable skills which they can capitalize for entrepreneurial or employment opportunities. In areas where food sufficiency is a growing concern, this project hopes to sustain food production with minimal input. Lastly, youth are also encouraged to pursue hydroponic gardening as a productive hobby.

To start their hydroponic projects, the Luyungan High School received starter kits designed to establish basic hydroponic gardens. Dr. Rey, with the support of the PAA, is committed to provide assistance and mentorship programs for a greener and more sustainable future. The said training is just one of the many efforts of the PAA in its CSR agenda.