Monsanto Philippines recently reached out to more than 250 students of Tuguegarao West Cental School in Cagayan and conducted an educational session through story-telling of Lina’s Town Rises again,
Corporate Engagement Lead of Monsanto Philippines and author of Lina’s Town Rises Again, Charina Garrido-Ocampo imparted the importance of agricultural biotechnology as a solution to feed a growing nation. “We, at Monsanto wanted to educate young minds to engage in agriculture because we are an agricultural country and 32% of our population are into agriculture,” she pointed out.
Through the animation viewing of the story which emphasizes on the positive impact of biotech corn (Dekalb®) in the lives of Filipino farmers, Monsanto Philippines wanted to encourage children to embrace farming and the products of agricultural biotechnology as a means of transforming farmers’ lives and farming communities.
Inspired from the success-story of farmer Consolacion Reyes from Lambayog, Sultan Kudaraton how her family and the whole farmingcommunity were able to recover from economic loss brought about by the devastations of typhoon Pablo. The story also highlights the benefits of agricultural biotechnology and conveys the message of hope, strength, and courage in the face of adversity. This makes the story morerelatable to the students asTuguegaraoexperienced devastations from two successive typhoons thatmassively struck the region this year.
Meanwhile, the school’s OIC, Mrs. Laura Tagunod highly appreciated this initiative as a means of developing children’s appreciation on farming and agriculture. “After this session, I know there will be additional colorful pages added to your own storybook in life, what matters most is the learning gained, therefore keep on reading and you’ll keep on learning,” she stressed.
At the end of the story-telling session, the pupils were very much entertained and have shown interest in agriculture as they have cheerfully engaged in the question and answer portion.