Thu, 03/02/2023 - 21:01
Applicants of OA scholarship
The regional scholarship committee conducts the online interview with the youth applicants on February 15, 2023 at the Golden Tara Hall, ATI-RTC 13, Los Angeles, Butuan City.

Butuan City - The DA-National Organic Program (NOAP) and DA-ATI offer the Youth Scholarship Program on Organic Farming as part of the continuing efforts to encourage organic farming among young people.

It is a highly specialized program that covers nine-month schooling and on-site training for the farm partners, and a one year implementation of the proposed organic enterprise. It is designed to instill and develop in the trainees an appreciation and eagerness for organic agriculture which they will eventually turn into a source of income.

The program provides all-out support to the trainees which includes a monthly stipend amounting to Php 5,000 for the first year, Php 10,000 for the second year, and a start-up support amounting to Php 150,000 for the implementation of their proposed organic enterprise under the supervision of the farm partner. The farm partners will receive Php 5,000 mentoring fee per trainee for 21 months.

During the information caravan to potential young farmers and Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) cooperators on January 25, 2023, OAP Point Person Elena P. Madelo discussed the goals, objectives, criteria, and eligibility requirements. She mentioned that Caraga region has five slots for farm partners and 10 slots for the trainees.

The farm partners should meet the following eligibility criteria: Farm operator/owner of the certified organic or chemical-free farm, preferably LSA certified farm; must be in operation for at least one (1) year; has farm activities within the value chain either production, value-adding, processing, or marketing; has basic farm tools, equipment or facilities needed for its operation; has accommodation facility for at least two (2) trainees; has internship program plan from March to November within a year; with good community standing and has no proven derogatory record; and whose farm area is not part of military identified conflict zones.

Meanwhile, the trainees should be 18 to 35 years old at the time of application, a natural-born Filipino citizen, interested to enter the agriculture industry, especially practicing organic agriculture, and willing to undertake the 21-month internship and hands-on practice contract. In addition, he/ she must be physically and mentally fit, and has good community standing or moral character.

After the evaluation, interview, and field validation of all applications received by the regional Training and Scholarship Committee from February 10 – 28, 2023, the following shortlisted LSA Cooperators as Farm Partners qualifiers were endorsed to the Central Office for approval on March 2, 2023: Amparitas Integrated Natural Farm, JB Nature Farm, SATI Farm, Lola Modesta Farm, SIPBAFAMCO, and Mondia La Ferme.

The shortlisted trainees are as follows: Joemel Mark Janier, Elgie Henoguin, KP Gems Ramas, and, Rey Peres, all from the Province of Dinagat Islands; from the province of Surigao del Norte - Christian Jay Guillen, Jubanie Acero, and, Reymund Ballena; Remmon Guinsod from Surigao del Sur; and, Kenivie Salmorin and Dheben Jean T. Alvarez from Agusan del Sur, and one waitlisted applicant from Bayugan City, John Philip Dapat.

Once approved, a separate orientation will be conducted for the farm partners to discuss the contents of the Memorandum of Agreement, and with the trainees to discuss the contents of the Scholarship Service Contract prior to deployment.

A total of 150 youth which may include women, out-of-school youth, and professionals and 75 farm partners nationwide are expected to benefit from the program.

 

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