Cavite Coffee & How NCST Graduates Can Help Revitalize PH Farming With Their Computer, Engineering & Accountancy Expertises

I was pleasantly surprised to find Secretary of Agriculture William Dar speaking as guest in the graduation rites of the National College of Science and Technology (NCST) in Dasmariñas, Cavite on 19 May 2022. There is no agriculture there!

(above, my photograph taken 27 April 2018, Mr Dar at a RiceUp Conference in Pampanga)

In Mr Dar’s NCST graduation speech, ANN says “Agri Chief Urges Fresh Grads To Join DA’s Fight For Food Security” (20 May 2022, DA.gov.ph):

Agriculture Secretary William D Dar encouraged the new graduates of the National College of Science and Technology (NCST) to participate in innovative solutions towards increasing the country’s food security level during the NCST’s Commencement Exercises.

He said, “We need the talent of the youth in the sector that employs majority of our workforce. Please join us in Philippine agriculture.”

Up to today, as an agriculturist, educator and the son of a farmer, I see that a great majority of Filipino farmers treat farming as a way of life, not a business – which explains why millions remain somewhere near the poverty line.

[Mr Dar] encouraged the youth to reflect on how their personal research and other undertakings will be relevant in addressing food availability, affordability, and accessibility, increasing incomes of farmers and fishers, and creating more sustainable jobs.

How do you think the non-Agriculture graduates of the NCST (or any other college) can help in improving food availability, affordability etcetera (see above quote)?

“I encourage you to use your dreams as the basis of the quality of life you would want the people around you to enjoy.”

NCST President & Chief Executive Officer Emerson Atanacio “committed that the college will soon offer agriculture courses. Currently, NCST offers courses among others in education, psychology, architecture, and tourism.

I can see that immediately the NCST can start moving their courses towards Agriculture by emphasizing “Farm Tourism” – to help build the business of farming.

Moreover, the NCST graduates can start working right there in Cavite serving the coffee farmers. According to Kape Isla, Amadeo, Cavite has 4,790 hectares of coffee, the largest area devoted to coffee in Cavite, the biggest coffee producer in the province and in the country (philcoffeeboard.com).

“Investigating” further, I found that the NCST is offering 3 degrees: BS in Accountancy, BS in Computer Science, and BS in Industrial Engineering. Thus, thinking of the NCST, I say:

Why not a unique DA program called “ACTS Agriculture,” or “Accountancy, Computers & Technology Services for Agriculture”

– with a P7 Million fund to it. With ACTS, the DA can harness the talents of NCST graduates for farming, ACTS coming up with a Knowledge Bank plus different models of enterprises of crops & livestock – starting with coffee.

Because:

To be successful in farming, remember what the NCST stands for:
Know your agriculture (search for knowledge via computer);
Master your equipment (via Engineering); and
Wizen your accounting (via Accountancy).

ACTS will thus enable NCST graduates to become active partners of government in making Agriculture energizing for everyone!@517