Government officials claim Filipinos are turning to agriculture – but it’s not the sector most had expected to take over the reins from what they lamented is an “aging” occupation.
As of 2023, Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa noted that the average age of farmers in the Philippines has gone down.
From 56 to 57 years old as recorded in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the average age has gone down to 49 to 50 years old, according to the agriculture official.
It should be noted, however, that a 2023 report from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) states that the average age of Filipino farmers is between 55 and 59 years old.
And what's more surprising, other officials said, is that a new demographic is currently taking up one of the country’s most vital (yet underappreciated) economic sectors.
That demographic? Retirees.
That was one of the surprising facts shared by officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Calabarzon at a recent “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum in Pila, Laguna.
Viable investment
During the forum, NIA officials noted that more retirees are viewing farming as a viable investment option after decades spent in their careers.
NIA Region 4-A Engineering and Operations Manager, Engr. Erwin Lucela, for instance, stated that more retired professionals are turning to farming, highlighting the industry’s viability as an investment.
“It’s true that a lot of people, especially retired professionals, turn to farming. This suggests that farming is a viable and respected career choice. People wouldn’t invest so much in farming if they didn’t see it as equally valuable as other professions,” Lucela explained during the forum.
Citing a recent NIA survey, the official also noted that the average age of members in Irrigators’ Associations has risen, reflecting a growing interest in farming among older professionals, particularly those nearing retirement.
The irrigation agency attributes the rising number of retirees turning to farming to their desire for continued responsibilities after decades of serving others.
“Even though they are getting old, they want to have responsibilities in the association. They are the ones interested in farming,” Lucela added.
Optimistic
The 2023 report from SEARCA had earlier predicted that the Philippines will face a “critical shortage” of farmers in 10 to 12 years unless younger generations are enticed to take up agriculture.
Part of the reasons for the aging population of farmers, the research institute has noted, is that farmers are hesitant to pass on their trade to their children due to the "difficult" nature of their occupation.
Despite the fact that the median age of farmers in the Calabarzon region remain at the senior citizen bracket, Lucela remains optimistic about advancements in the local agriculture industry.
“I believe this will improve considering that even in other countries, this is the age bracket of farmers. Even in other countries, there are no farmers in their 20’s and 30’s,” he explained.
“There are two kinds of farmers in our country: one whose family supported them to pursue other careers and one who remains a farmer because of their love for farming,” the official added.
Despite the increasing age of farmers, the NIA assured that it will continue to provide its services as long as Filipinos remain interested in the profession.
“We at the NIA will continue delivering our services to the Filipino farmers,” officials said.
(With report from the Philippine Information Agency)
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