In a dynamic step towards promoting sustainable farming, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA has proudly announced the successful completion of its first batch of the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA). This innovative initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of organic farmers by combining education, hands-on training, and financial support.
Through this program, the participants shall undergo a 21-month internship program that comprises nine-month schooling and on-site training with the farm partners and a 12-month hands-on practice and implementation of the proposed organic enterprise. Part of the internship grants provided to the young participants will be start-up support and mentoring for the implementation of their business plan to empower them to become organic farmers and practitioners.
For YIPOA Batch 1, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA recognized the ten grantees, along with the five farm partners who served as trainers for the interns, in November 2023. The grantees were also awarded startup capital of PHP 150,000 to help them implement their approved business enterprises.
Successful interns who are now implementing their business enterprises are the following:
- Claire S. Balderas - Vermicomposting, Native Chicken, and Black Soldier Fly Production
- Angel S. Bolaños - Vegetable, Vermicomposting, Black Soldier Fly
- Sue M. Alicpala - Backyard Cattle Fattening with Vegetable Garden and Vermiculture Production
- Mary Joy A. Anyayahan- Broiler Chicken, Vermicomposting, Vegetables, and Duck Raising
- Jessie An E. Escultor - Goat, Vermicomposting, and Organic Vegetables Production
- Jhomar A. Pacaldo - Piggery and Free-range Brown Chicken Eggs, Organic vegetable
- Eva Cris T. Mabuhay - Natural Egg Production
- Gerome A. Baluntong - Organic Vegetable Production, Free-range Chicken, Vermicomposting
- Mariano A. Supetran - Organic Vegetable Production, Ready-to-lay Chicken Raising
- Frances G. Supetran - Organic Vegetable Production, Goat, Vermicomposting
Building on this success, the program is now in its second phase. On June 7, 2024, ATI-MIMAROPA conducted an orientation and pre-deployment session for the new batch of interns. This session, held both in-person and online, introduced the interns to their roles and farm partners. The orientation was followed by a two-week pre-internship program to ensure compatibility between the interns and their respective farm partners.
The official Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for this batch took place on June 25, 2024 at ATI-MIMAROPA, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Attendees included Ms. Karen T. Vicente, OA Point Person, Ms. Edna M. Mojica, OIC-Accountant, and Mr. Pat Andrew B. Barrientos, Center Director of ATI-MIMAROPA.
The following are the ten interns who are currently deployed on their respective farm partner:
- Gleene M. Torres
- Teodulfo L. Buñag
- Ronna Mae R. Frias
- Merilyn B. Mazon
- Rhea Jane N. Atonducan
- Aaron C. Bravo
- Eric D. Jalbuena
- Ronie O. Pangan
- Bernard C. Martinez
- Ricky Angelo M. Jalimbawa
