The Provision of Youth Scholarship on Organic Farming is one of the new programs of the Department of Agriculture spearheaded by ATI and in partnership with National Organic Agriculture Program. This program is intended for youth to motivate them to engage in agriculture, especially in organic agriculture.
Thus, to promote the program, two (2) online information caravans were conducted among the stakeholders, particularly for the interested youth and potential farm partners on January 18 and 23, 2023 via Facebook Live and Zoom.
During the information caravans, guidelines on the provision of youth scholarship grant on organic farming were discussed as well as the documentary requirements for submission. Aside from the information on the program, the info caravans served as avenue to address the queries and clarification in the application and implementation of the program. According to the participants, the strategy to inform the clients via online platform and social media is very much appreciated because it reaches more youth and stakeholders to have first-hand information from the agency who will directly implement the program. Moreover, they commended the objective of the program and its implementation mechanism because it could encourage more youth to participate and engage in organic agriculture, especially that it offers an after-training support for their business endeavors.
“Napakaganda po ng programang ito at naipapaabot ninyo sa sa amin at sa mga kabataang nais umunlad ang pamumuhay - wala pong pinipili na edad at status sa pamumuhay. Ang programa pong ito ay layuning makatulong sa bawat indibidwal na nais magsaka nang wala pong puhunan at panggastos, at higit sa lahat ang organikong pagsasaka para sa ating kalusugan. Malaki po ang maitutulong nito sa amin as potential farm partner at sa magiging trainees dahil layunin rin po ng puso namin na maibahagi sa iba ang aming kaalaman sa pag-oorganiko,” Ms. Caire Balderas, manager of Gabutero Organic Farm said.
At the end of the information caravan, the anchors/hosts of the online information caravan encouraged both youth and farm partners to grab the opportunity and apply for the said scholarship.
