The orientation for the youth scholarship grant on organic farming and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was conducted by ATI RTC 2 on March 28.
There were eight trainees were qualified for the said scholarship program from San Agustin, San Mateo, Ramon of Isabela pronvince and Kayapa, Quezon and Solano of Nueva Vizcaya and Saguday, Quirino. The trainees will be deployed to the four (4) farm partners namely: R and D Oliveros Institute of Technology and Agri- Tourism Corporation (owned by Engr. Ramon D. Oliveros), GENRAM Integrated and Diversified Farm Learning Site (owned by Benito G. Ramos III), Valdez Integrated Farm (owned by Mr. Marcelo Valdez), Roberto’s Farm (owned by r. Robert V. Manlapaz).
To promote Organic Agriculture and expand the system, the NOAB, NOAP and ATI, developed the Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming. The Youth Scholarship Program is a highly specialized internship program designed to instill and develop in the trainees an appreciation and eagerness for organic agriculture and eventually adopt it as their source of income.
The scholarship program aims to encourage the youth and develop them to become organic farmers and practitioners. This is a comprehensive approach in the provision of scholarship to include intensified and extensive hands-on training on the farm, provision of start-up project support fund for the trainees, and mentoring during the implementation of enterprise project for the trainees.
The trainees will stay at their respective host farm partners for 9 months. This is in preparation for their Business Model Canvass implementation in January 2024.
The 21-month internship program for the youth aims to fully imbibe the “Life of a Farmer” and the organic practices.
Aside from the trainees and farmer partners, the activity was attended by the parents of the trainees, DA- RFO 02, Mr. George Caday, Regional Organic Agriculture Focal Person from DA-RFO 02, Municipal Agriculturist - Ms. Sherly Lumicao of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya and Engr. Noel Baquiran and other representatives.
Internship materials were distributed to the trainees like bag, boots, bush hat, rain coat and hygiene kit.
