PILA, Laguna (PIA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Calabarzon reports that more retirees are viewing farming as a viable investment option after decades spent in their careers.
In a recent interview at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, NIA Region 4-A Regional Manager Engineer Roberto J. Dela Cruz, stated that more retired professionals are turning to farming, highlighting the industry’s viability as an investment.
“It’s true that a lot of people, especially retired professionals, turn to farming. This suggests that farming is a viable and respected career choice. People wouldn’t invest so much in farming if they didn’t see it as equally valuable as other professions,”
Citing a recent NIA survey, dela Cruz noted that the average age of members in Irrigators’ Associations has risen, reflecting a growing interest in farming among older professionals, particularly those nearing retirement.
The irrigation agency attributes the rising number of retirees turning to farming to their desire for continued responsibilities after decades of serving others.
dela Cruz explained: “Even though they are getting old, they want to have responsibilities in the association. They are the ones interested in farming.”
A 2023 report from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) states that the average age of Filipino farmers is between 55 and 59 years old.
The same report warns that this aging demographic could significantly impact farmer shortage within the next 10 to 12 years.
Despite this, NIA IV-A remains optimistic about advancements in the local agriculture industry.
“I believe this will improve considering that even in other countries, this is the age bracket of farmers. Even in other countries, there are no farmers in their 20’s and 30’s,”
The official added: “There are two kinds of farmers in our country: one whose family supported them to pursue other careers and one who remains a farmer because of their love for farming.”
Despite the increasing age of farmers, the NIA assured that it will continue to provide its services as long as Filipinos remain interested in the profession.
“We at the NIA will continue delivering our services to the Filipino farmers.” (PB/PIA-4A)
The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a weekly media forum program of the Philippine Information Agency, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office, highlighting the programs, projects, and policies of the national government under the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
