Jocelyn O.

Guevarra
PGR 270, 1st Sem 2016-2017

REACTION PAPER:
Alternative Seed Training and Education for Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture (SA) as defined in this book is a method, practice or

philosophy that is economically sound, socially just and humane, culturally acceptable,
and based on wholistic (integtrative) science. The quest for acceptance and
implementation of SA is dependent on the realization of the academe (formal
education), faculty (professors advocating SA) and individuals believing and embracing its
philosophy or practices.

The framework of SA with its ultimate goal of full development of human

potential, a re-awakened human being, is based on the challenges brought by exhaustive
agricultural practices that multinational seed companies, chemical industries and
technological advancement contributed all for the single word “profit” in the seed that
farmers produced.

Seed is life and is therefore basic for the sustenance of every living creature. And
continually ravaging nature’s wealth without considering the welfare of the future
generation, would mean depleting our present natural resources until such time that soil
becomes infertile and crop will no longer bear fruits or produced. Hence, the call for
sustainable agriculture is very vital to our present situation if we want preservation of our
land, environment and planet as a whole be realized.

The realization of an effective sustainable agriculture must be: (a) Participatory –

meaning, those in the SA movement must be facilitators of a participatory and very
broad educational process; (b) Networking – connection of individuals and groups via
networking techniques with understanding of SA concepts and goals; (c) Realization of
change in various dimensions – everything in this world is constantly changing, hence, the
need to let individuals decide about specific SA changes they will undertake in their own
lives, jobs, organizations, and/or farms to have a full grasp of changes surrounding
him/her; (d) Effective communication and information sourcing – making information
equitable, accessible and available in order to be abreast of “what’s new” in the
technological world making the individual aware of its pros and cons; and (e) Realization
of and building on differences – the need to recognize that every one is unique and that
this differences can be bridged to develop strategies to bring groups together and work
harmoniously for the benefit of mankind.

However, this change in perspective to bring SA in the inner dimension of an

individual must be taught, felt and lived – a way of life that indeed it is achievable!

Personally, I am pro-environmental and therefore would like to embrace the

philosophy of SA not for myself, but for my children’s children and for the fact that as a
steward on the natural wealth that our heavenly Father had loaned to us… we must be a
good caretaker of everything that has been provided to us. Therefore, it is our
responsibility to pass on the ideals and philosophy of SA as we see it deemed crucial for
the fulfillment of our human existence in this planet earth.

And although, many constraints are being experienced in the implementation of

SA in the academe, which I believe, is supposed to be the training ground of what is
good and right for the student, but due to pressures on economy, politics and
governance, the academe is forced to produced students who are sensitized to a
commercial, export-oriented and import-dependent agriculture. Current educational
system is short on being participatory (learning is still conventional), on networking
(students are self-centered for personal achievement) and on holistic reform (total
change, a re-awakened individual). Nevertheless, what is good and noble for
humankind must be sustained. Let us not be weary in advocating what we believe is true
and good; what we teach is noble and just; and what we live is faithful and right.

Alternative seed education and training should be given high priority and focus for
sustainable agriculture, for without which, the seed, considered as the soul of a nation
will wane and just die in its natural death.