CAD alarmed over declining youth interest in farming

The Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) has raised concerns over the dwindling interest of the younger generation in farming, which could negatively impact the city's long-term agricultural productivity.

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This assessment was shared by Cebu City Agriculturist and CAD head Arleigh Gesta, who noted that while parts of the city continue to support thriving farming communities, Cebu remains heavily reliant on imported crops from other provinces.

According to Gesta, this influx of imported produce creates competitive pricing pressures for local farmers.

"Kung dili pud ta ana magpasud, dili pud enough atong production man, dili gyud maka sustain ang production sa Cebu City even i apil nato ang Mantalungon," he explained, emphasizing that without imports, the city’s agricultural output would be insufficient—even when factoring in production from areas like Mantalungon.

He added that local production levels are currently just enough to meet the demand of large-scale consumers such as hotels and other commercial establishments. Despite this, the city continues to see a decline in cultivated land, a trend Gesta attributed primarily to the aging population of farmers.