Benguet State University (BSU) is seeing an uptrend in agriculture enrollment, according to Dr. Constantino Sudaypan, dean of the College of Agriculture. “As compared to other universities who has one section per year level, we continue to have two sections each, and the trend of enrollment is showing a minimal increase,” he said on Tuesday.
The increase reflects the enduring interest of the Igorots in agriculture. Benguet supplies at least 85 percent of the country’s highland vegetables, mostly sent to Metro Manila, Visayas, and other parts of Luzon.
Sudaypan noted that entrepreneurship initiatives, including agri-tourism, are adding value to the agriculture course. BSU now offers a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Entrepreneurship alongside its traditional Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with students gaining hands-on experience through internships in local government units and various government agencies.
Licensed agriculturist Aida Pagtan highlighted the evolving scope of agriculture. “Agriculture is not just about tilling the land. It also requires understanding of the soil, the pests, the insects, the plants, and their needs so that each species will co-exist in harmony with each other,” she said, adding that modern farms now incorporate marketing, packaging, and collaborations, as well as agri-tourism opportunities.
Sudaypan emphasized that agriculture remains essential for the future, with many students excelling even when it was their second choice. The program continues to prepare graduates for both professional board exams and careers in a growing agricultural sector.