COTABATO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in North Cotabato is intensifying efforts to encourage young residents to pursue agriculture-related careers through a province-wide information campaign.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Evangeline Bueno reported Tuesday that the initiative has already reached 4,773 Grade 10 and Senior High School students from 20 secondary schools in 18 municipalities.
The campaign aims to generate awareness and interest in DAR’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, particularly among the youth, including students, young leaders, and youth organizations.
“This campaign is not only about raising awareness,” said Bueno. “It’s also about helping the younger generation recognize their potential roles in nation-building through agriculture.”
Students attending the sessions learned about DAR’s mandate, key programs, and the many career opportunities within the agriculture sector. For some, like children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), the discussions hit especially close to home.
Xhadi Calibara, a student from Manglicmot High School in Alamada, expressed her appreciation for the initiative. “It’s good to finally understand what DAR does for our farmers, especially the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. I never knew how big its impact was until now,” she said.
Calibara added that DAR’s scholarship programs sparked new ideas for her future. “Knowing that DAR offers scholarships made me think seriously about taking agriculture or related courses in college. I’m now considering it as a real option for my future,” she told DAR officials.
