Youth leadership camp honors Rizal’s legacy, sparks agri interest

Nueva Ecija- As the nation prepares to commemorate Rizal Day on Dec. 30, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) draws inspiration from the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, “The youth is the hope of our future,” by empowering the youth to take an active role in agriculture and leadership through its BeRICEponsible Leadership Camp.

Recently pilot-tested at the RICEsParK in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the camp aims to mold “RICEponsible” leaders who are mindful of farmers’ struggles, understand the significance of rice, and are equipped with leadership skills and values needed to impact the country’s rice sector.

In its initial run, the camp trained 30 high school student leaders to explore leadership and agriculture. Themed “sParKing Future Rice Leaders,” the camp emphasized the importance of youth involvement in securing the nation’s food systems.

Through hands-on activities and expert-led sessions, participants deepened their appreciation for rice farming and honed their leadership skills.

“This program not only deepened my appreciation for rice farmers but also taught me how to be an effective leader—skills I can use as a future educator,” said Tristan P. Collantes, a senior high school student from Muñoz National High School-Main.

The camp’s Rice and Shine module provided insights into rice production, while leadership sessions led by Dr. Stachys Neil E. Espino, governor-elect of the Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District, emphasized essential traits of effective leadership.

Espino introduced the “seven sides of leadership,” supplemented with personal insights to encourage adaptability and resilience.

Participants also explored innovations at the FutureRice Farm, including the Minus-One- Element Technique (MOET) for soil nutrient management and modern farm machinery demonstrations.

For Allysa Crisha Acosta, a Grade 10 student from Gabaldon Integrated School and a farmer’s daughter, the experience was educational and personal.

“I was excited to try MOET and see how machines can make farming more efficient,” she said.

The leadership camp, organized by PhilRice in collaboration with Kiwanis International, underscored the critical role of empowering youth to tackle the challenges in agriculture.

“Shaping future leaders is crucial for the country’s food security. Through programs like this, we aim to create a lasting impact and inspire the next generation of agriculture champions,” said Dr. Diadem B. Gonzales-Esmero, RiceBIS program lead.

PhilRice plans to make the BeRICEponsible Leadership Camp a regular program as the agriculture sector seeks to attract younger, more innovative minds to secure the country’s food systems in the face of rising global challenges.