Manila: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is looking to revive its scholarship program for the children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to mold them into active partners in rural development and ensure that agrarian reform lands remain productive and sustainably managed in the long term. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III on Monday said the agency is exploring ways to generate and mobilize funds to provide free education for the children of deserving ARBs.

According to Philippines News Agency, Estrella emphasized the importance of preparing the next generation through quality education and exposure to modern farming technologies. He highlighted that education serves as a powerful catalyst for empowering the youth to pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to countryside development.

While encouraging ARBs' children to pursue career paths of their choice, Estrella stressed that they must remain committed to developing, caring for, and maximizing their family farm lots awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). He pointed out that the country's aging farmer population poses a serious challenge to the future of Philippine agriculture.

Estrella noted that the average age of Filipino farmers is now 57, which indicates a possible shortage of farmers in the next decade and may threaten the country's long-term food security. Reviving the scholarship program, which was one of DAR's previous flagship initiatives focusing on agriculture-related courses, is seen as a strategic step to attract a new generation of agri-leaders and safeguard the gains of agrarian reform.

Furthermore, Estrella warned against selling the land, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining the productivity of agrarian reform areas for rural livelihoods and national food security. He urged the children of ARBs to prioritize the development and productivity of their family farm lots, regardless of the professional paths they choose to pursue.