A government-led boot camp is drawing senior high school students toward agriculture, as hands-on training and technology exposure reshape how young Filipinos view the sector.

The two-day Youth for Mechanization (Y4M) Boot Camp, organized by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, gathered 82 students from Central Luzon State University’s Agricultural Science and Technology School for immersive learning activities aimed at promoting farm mechanization.

Participants engaged in practical sessions, including operating rice machinery and drone demonstrations, alongside lectures, competitions, and group activities designed to introduce modern agricultural practices.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of youth participation in sustaining the country’s food systems.

“By being here, you’re not just learning skills; you are joining a movement that is shaping the future of food and farming in our country,” Tiu Laurel said.

Dionisio G. Alvindia, director of the agency, urged students to consider careers in agriculture and emphasized the need to change long-standing perceptions about the industry.

The program forms part of broader efforts to build a skilled workforce in agricultural mechanization, a key area seen as critical to improving productivity and ensuring food security.

Students who joined the camp said the experience challenged their assumptions about farming, highlighting the role of technology in making the sector more efficient and accessible.

“This boot camp is very fulfilling. Considering that we are the pioneering batch of this boot camp, we can really say that we are blessed and honored to be part of this. We are really thankful sa experience na na-provide ng PHilMech for us,” said Elyyahson D. Rosales, 17.

“I would say my overall experience would be fun and full of knowledge because we did not only learn about the machineries themselves but also the agricultural sector of the Philippines,” said Mara Rihanna L. Babasoro, 18.

The Y4M initiative seeks to reframe agriculture as a modern, technology-driven field while encouraging more young people to enter the industry and support the country’s long-term food supply.