Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (Yamsuan's Facebook)

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is proposing a “cool” approach to effectively raise awareness about food security initiatives while also encouraging youth participation. 

During the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Forum on Thursday morning, Sept. 26, Yamsuan underscored that both present and future generations must work together to create a “brighter, greener, and bluer future” for farmers, fisherfolk, and the rest of the planet.

One way to realize this goal, he said, was to package agriculture and related industries as “cool” endeavors to make people pay attention and take part in them.

“Instead of saying agriculture, I would say agri-cool-ture,” said Yamsuan.

“We have to make agriculture cool. When something is cool—people pay attention, people care, people want to take part in it,” he added.

The rookie lawmaker insisted that initiatives aimed at food security will not be effective if people lack awareness about its importance.

With this in mind, he said “cool” initiatives may include tapping the power of social media to better inform the public about agriculture and fisheries.

Yamsuan noted that these industries were usually branded as mere tedious tasks, such as in the form of planting and fishing. However, he explained that agriculture and fisheries can also be profitable industries using digital tools.

“By making agriculture, and relevant industries such as fisheries and aquaculture, cool, we can raise awareness of their importance, and crucially, attract the attention of the youth—the future stewards of these sectors. Without their participation, sustainable agri-futures may be a distant goal,” he emphasized.

As chairman of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, Yamsuan also presented in the forum the several legislative accomplishments of Congress that seek to strengthen agriculture and related industries.

He said the House of Representatives has committed to realizing a vision of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agriculture and fisheries sectors. 

“By working together, let us shape agri-futures that nourish livelihoods, stimulate innovation, and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations,” he added.