After 9 months of on-site internship program, the Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) successfully completed the Phase I of the Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming on November 27, 2023.
The 21-month program aims to encourage young people in the "life of a farmer" and the principle of organic farming. It consists of 1) nine months of study and on-site training with farm partners, and 2) one year of practical experience and implementation of their prepared organic enterprise in their respective farms.
Aside from a monthly stipend of PhP5,000.00 for nine months and PhP10,000.00 for the following year, they will also receive financial assistance amounting to PhP150,000.00 based on their approved Business Model Canvas.
In a simple ceremony, the interns were presented as new organic farmers ready to face the challenge of going organic and entrepreneurship. They were also given the opportunity to share their experiences and learned throughout the program.
"I am very grateful that I was able to participate in this program. In the nine months that I was an intern at Gabutero Organic Farm, I really saw that we have a huge opportunity in agriculture, we just have to explore it. Also, I learned not only farming technologies, but more about the characteristics and behaviors we need to have to be successful farmers," said Claire S. Balderas, one of the YSGOF grantees.
She also challenged his fellow grantees to properly implement their respective Business Model Canvass and work hard to grow the initial investment that will be provided to them.
In recognition of their success, the ceremony's highlight was the awarding of start-up capital worth PhP 150,000.00 for their chosen agri-business.
The start-up capital provided will be the foundation for their envisioned Agri-Enterprise. It is hoped that through what they have learned, their agri-enterprise will be successful and inspire other young people to dream of organic agriculture.
At the end of the program, Ms. Josephine G. Darm, IS Chief, congratulated them and pledged ATI’s support to the new organic farmers. "Do not fear change, embrace change because that is how you will grow as individuals and farmers," she said.
The Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming is an initiative by the Department of Agriculture spearheaded by National Organic Agriculture Program and ATI to promote farming in the country and inspire young people to be part of agriculture.
