Monsanto, UP Labs bond to broaden youth in promoting agricultural sustainability

MONSANTO Philippines recently partnered with University of the Philippines League of Agricultural Biotechnology Students (UP-Labs) on a series of student outreach projects that aim to broaden student awareness on the role of modern agricultural biotechnology and encourage youth participation in addressing challenges related to agricultural development.

Monsanto Corporate Engagement Lead Charina Garrido-Ocampo and Human Resource Lead Cherie Lou Ocampo led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with UP Labs as represented by its Vice President for Internal Affairs Mark Julius Mercado and VP for External Affairs Paulyne Nathalie Ordillo. UP- Labs is an academic organization in UP Los Baños that promotes biotechnology inside the university and across key agricultural areas in the country.

“Today’s youth plays a critical role in contributing innovative and creative ideas to address real-world issues such as sustainable resource management and food security. Monsanto’s collaboration with UP Labs demonstrates our efforts to work with different stakeholders, including our youth and maximize creative potential, innovative initiatives, and transformative vision for the community to help make our commitment to sustainable agriculture a reality,” Garrido-Ocampo said.

Under the MOA, Monsanto and UP Labs will collaborate on different student outreach activities which are all aimed to broaden the awareness of students on the importance of managing the world’s resources more efficiently through sustainable agricultural practices and biotechnology. Among others, Monsanto will be providing UP Labs with knowledge materials and other resources to effectively support the organization’s different awareness-building activities including student seminars, a biotechnology youth camp and exhibits.

“Young people today are losing interest in agriculture and lack awareness in terms of the sector’s role in feeding our growing population. Because of this declining interest, reaching out and educating the younger generation about sustainable agriculture through modern methods such as biotechnology is a key step in ensuring our youth’s continued understanding and involvement in challenges faced by the sector,” UP Labs President Junnel Mertillo said.

Monsanto has been committed in expanding the discussion on the importance of sustainable agriculture in schools and colleges, including Mindanao. Previously reaching out to 980 students in UP Mindanao and the Nazareth High School, the student outreach program featured talks on food sustainability and career seminars on agriculture. pr