Nutrition literacy, agri skills key for Filipino youth

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—A new study highlights the importance of enhancing nutrition literacy and agricultural life skills among Filipino youth to ensure a healthy and productive future generation.

In a presentation during the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Agriculture and Development Seminar Series on Sept. 24, 2025, nutritionist-dietitian Ma. Cristina Sison, co-author of the study “Youth Engagement in Transforming the Food System to Address Malnutrition in the Philippines,” said young people play a vital role in linking strong food production systems with good nutrition and economic development.

“Our youth today will be the future experts and leaders … and will have an important role in ensuring that the quality of food from our agriculture sector can impact nutrition,” Sison said.

She warned that unless more young people pursue careers or vocations in agriculture, the food system’s human resources may be at risk.

The study also examined the lasting effects of chronic undernutrition, including stunting, which has serious consequences for physical and cognitive development, future productivity, earning capacity, and risk of chronic diseases.

Sison stressed that basic nutrition and agricultural education are essential life skills that should be integrated into elementary and high school curricula.

Fellow co-author John Carlo Navasero noted that while basic education in the Philippines places heavy emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the coverage of nutrition and agriculture remains fragmented.

He said the University of the Philippines Rural High School uses a more holistic and hands-on approach that gives students broader and deeper exposure to these topics.

Lead author and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Howarth Bouis urged educators to tap existing youth organizations, such as the 4H Club, and Department of Education initiatives like the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” program to strengthen nutrition and agriculture education in schools and communities.

The hybrid seminar drew about 80 participants onsite and online, including students, educators, and development practitioners from the Philippines and other Asian countries.

One youth participant reflected, “As a youth, I must be proactive in engaging others about healthy nutrition. When I go back to my hometown, I will encourage them to be involved in small activities like having a garden in their backyard.”

The full study is available in the 20th anniversary issue of the Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, accessible for free at ajad.searca.org.

Past issues and print copies are available through the SEARCA Knowledge Shop in Los Baños, Laguna, and article submissions are accepted year-round at https://ajad.searca.org/submit.

SEARCA’s seminar series continues to provide a platform for dialogue on development and research to help advance the sustainable transformation of Southeast Asian agricultural systems through innovation.