Scholarships

ATI continues to strengthen the competitiveness and capacities of the agri-fishery extension sector and ensure that farmers and fishers can maximize the services designed to uplift their condition. The Institute manages and develops initiatives to support the professionalization of agricultural extension workers (AEWs) by providing degree and non-degree scholarships.

• Degree Programs - under the Degree programs, four- or five-year undergraduate courses (BS Degree) are offered to encourage the youth to pursue studies and professional career in agriculture, and/or venture in agripreneurship. This also include graduate courses (MS and PhD) to upgrade the quality, ensure the sustainability, and promote global competitiveness of the AEWs, at all levels, in agriculture and fisheries education.

• Non-Degree Programs - these programs are non-academic which may include customized and client-specific short courses as well as international training, conferences, symposia, and seminars related to agriculture and fisheries extension Training and Development.

• Thesis/Dissertation Assistance - this type of assistance is given to students who are pursuing postgraduate studies, either MS or PhD Degree, and are in need of financial support to conduct their required thesis or dissertation.

• Educational/Field Visit Assistance - relevant assistance covers a maximum number of 30 participants in a group. It involves a cost-sharing scheme where ATI shoulders the food and accommodation expenses of participants, and the proponents covers their transportation expenses/allowance, including entrance fees if applicable.

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Apart from the AEWs, the Institute also supports initiatives for the Filipino youth.  As such, ATI offers international exchange programs to provide opportunities for young Filipino farmer-leaders to acquire advanced skills and knowledge on up-to-date agricultural technologies in various partner-countries.

ATI currently implements two international exchange programs: Young Filipino Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ) and the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIP).

• YFFLTP in Japan - is a commitment of the Japanese government to the ASEAN regions through the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). To ensure the program’s continuity and sustainability, the management of the program was turned over to ATI last September 25, 2014 to be part of its regular activities under the 4-H Club Program and Rural-Based Organizations.

• FYFIP in Taiwan - is a partnership between Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO), through a Memorandum of Understanding. The partnership aims to enhance existing relations through the implementation of an internship program for qualified young Filipino farmers. It entails the acquisition of skills and knowledge through the exchange of modern agricultural and fisheries techniques, marketing strategies and mechanisms, cooperative management and enhancement of competencies, discipline and values.

EAsY AGRI SCHOLARSHIP (BATCH 3)
Educational Assistance for the Youth in Agriculture

For incoming first year college students who are children of smallholder farmers and fisherfolk!

COVERED COURSES:
• BS Agriculture
• Bs Agribusiness
• BS Fisheries
• Bs Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
• Forestry and Natural Resources Courses
• Environmental Science Courses
• Veterinary Medicine
• Other Agri-related courses

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1. A Filipino citizen;
2. Not more than 30 years old at the time of application to the scholarship
3. A son or daughter of a farmer or fisher, whose parents are registered/ has applied for the RSBSA, with an annual gross income of not more than Php 120,000
4. Senior High School graduate with a High School GPA/GWA of 85% or better and willing to pursue a college degree in agriculture, fisheries, or any agri-related course
5. An incoming first year college student, who passed the entrance/ qualifying examination of his/her preferred school
6. Physically and mentally fit (including the differently-abled who is capable of performing the duties and responsibilities of a scholar)
7. Must not be a delinquent scholar of a previous scholarship
8. Must not be related by consanguinity or affinity within the 2nd degree to any ATI employee

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
• Accomplished Application Form with 2x2 picture
• Certification from the Municipal Agriculturist Officer (MAO) as a bonafide son/daughter of small-scale farmer/fisherfolk with RSBSA registration number or proof of filing for registration; Preferably Rice Farmer
• Proof of income (any of the following):
     o Latest BIR-Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents/guardians issued by the BIR,
     o Tax Exemption Certification issued by the BIR, or
     o Certificate of Indigency issued by the Barangay Captain

• Authenticated copy of PSA birth certificate
• Certification of good moral character issued by the High School or Barangay, or Police Clearance
• Notarized Affidavit of non-delinquency in any previous scholarship
• Notarized Affidavit of no relation with any ATI Employee, within the 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity
• Certified true copy of Senior High School Report Card (Form 138);
• Certification of good moral character issued by the High School or Barangay, or Police Clearance
• Certification of good health from a government physician issued within the last two months, including:
     o clear x-ray result
     o negative drug test result

• Certification of mental fitness issued by the Guidance Counselor of the scholar’s chosen University or from a government/private institution.
• Admission form from the university.

APPLICATION FORM
 https://docs.google.com/.../1HYGTL1AIuWFSCd4yt6x6.../edit...
Please download and accomplish the application form and send the clearly scanned PDF Document to rtc5_dcc@ati.da.gov.ph

Qualified applicants are advised to hand in, send through courier or email the scanned copy of accomplished requirements to:

MS. ELSA A. PAROT
Center Director
Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center V
ATI-RTC 5, Diversion Road, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur

Email to: rtc5_dcc@ati.da.gov.ph

Applications with incomplete documents shall not be entertained.

For more information, contact our office at (054) 884-5866 or 0912 204 0012 and look for Mr. Marjhan V. Ramboyong, Scholarship Focal Person.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP GRANT ON ORGANIC FARMING 

Introduction

One way to promote organic agriculture, and thereby expand the system, is by provision of scholarships and trainings. The DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) implement several scholarship programs and trainings on agriculture, including organic agriculture. However, even with these programs, there are few entrants to the sector, especially among the youth. Hence, there is a need for a comprehensive approach in the provision of scholarship to include intensified and extensive hands-on training on farm, provision of start-up project support fund for the trainees, and mentoring during the implementation of enterprise project of the trainees.

This 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. It differs from other scholarship programs which provided tuition fee and stipend only. The program provides start-up support and mentoring for the implementation of their business plan. Thus, empowering the youth to become organic agripreneur.

Patterned after the internship program of the Korean Government wherein, there is 100% engagement of their scholars in agriculture sector after the training completion, the 21-month internship program for the youth is aimed to fully imbibe the “life of a farmer” and the organic practices; it comprises of nine-month schooling and on-site training to the farm partners, and one-year hands-on practice and implementation of proposed organic enterprise to fully.

The program aims to provide all-out support to the trainees until their enterprises are established and made profit to ensure sustainability and to boost their morale. As they complete the program, they will stay as farmer by heart and mind.

The provisions under this Memorandum Circular are sanctioned and approved by the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), and aim to lay down the criteria, rules, and procedures to avail the scholarship grant.

Objectives

The program aims to contribute to the attainment of food sovereignty through ensuring the availability of healthy agricultural produce and products grown, raised and developed in a healthy and safe environment.

Primarily, the program aims to encourage the youth, develop and train them to become organic farmers and practitioners. Specifically, it aims to:

• equip the youth with knowledge and skills in organic agriculture practices;
• increase organic agriculture practitioners, and organic agriculture related enterprise;
• increase organic agriculture areas; and
• increase adopters of organic agriculture practices.

Scope and Coverage

The program is a collaborative effort between the DA- NOAP and the DA- ATI and shall be implemented nationwide enjoining the youth. The program targets 150 youth, enjoining women, out-of-school youth, and degree holders, and 75 farm partners coming from different provinces practicing chemical-free and/or organic farming system, as beneficiaries.

For 21 months, the trainees will be given a monthly stipend while the farm partners will receive a mentoring fee. Towards the end of the 1st year-implementation, the start-up support will be released to the trainees for the implementation of their proposed organic enterprise under the supervision of farm partners. The start-up support will be used for all the materials and requirements of the trainees for his/her enterprise including site rental, planting materials, facilities, equipment, among others.

Considering that the trainees are still starting their businesses, they need monthly assistance for their food and other basis needs, thus a continuous monthly stipend and mentorship fee will be provided to the trainees and farm partners, respectively.

Eligibility and Documentary Requirements

There are two key players in this program, classified as: a) farm partners; and b) trainees.

Farmer-Partners: 

Qualification:

1. Farm owner/operator of certified organic or chemical free farm, preferably LSA
2. Must be in operation for at least 1 year
3. Has farm activities within the value chain either production, value adding, processing or marketing;
4. Has basic farm tools, equipment or facilities needed for its operation
5. Has accommodation facility for 2 trainees
6. Has internship program plan from March to November within a year
7. With good community standing and has no proven derogatory record
8. Farm area is not part of military identified conflict zones

Requirements:

1. Notarized Affidavit as owner/operator of an organic and/or chemical-free farm; Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) certification, if applicable
2. Farm journal; Financial statement for the previous year’s operation
3. Farm layout and Photos of farm and its facilities including accommodation areas and List and biodata of resource persons/trainers;
4. Internship Program plan and design including performance evaluation and post-internship assessment
5. At least two (2) recommendations letter from a community leader (e.g. barangay captain, parish priest, school principal, civil society organization, farmers’ cooperative or association)
6. Certification from the respective AFP infantry division
7. Letter of Intent

Trainees: 

Qualifications:

1. Age 18 to 35 years old at the time of application
2. Natural born Filipino citizen
3. Interested to enter the agriculture industry, especially practice organic agriculture
4. Willingness to undertake 21-month internship and hands-on practice contract
5. Physically and mentally fit
6. Has good community standing or moral character

Requirements:

1. Clear scanned copy of any valid government issued ID (indicating the date of birth)
2. Notarized Sworn Statement as proof of willingness and commitment to undertake organic agriculture-related activities/enterprises after the training;
3. Business Model Canvas (BMC)
4. Medical certificate indicating “fit to work”
5. At least two (2) recommendation letters from a community leader (e.g. barangay captain, parish priest, school principal, civil society organization, farmers’ cooperative or association)
6. Bank account details, preferably LBP if available
7. Accomplished application form

Application

Interested applicants for farm partners and trainees may address their letter of intent to MS. ELSA A. PAROT, Training Center Superintendent II/Center Director.  Submission of application can be done physically or via email. For interested applicants in Bicol Region, kindly send in your application and documentary requirements to atibicol.scholarship@gmail.com or visit our office at Diversion Road, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. 

For inquiries, kindly contact Ms. Justine Rose C. Cano, ATI Bicol Organic Agriculture Focal Person at 0909-476-5244 or Mr. Marjhan V. Ramboyong, ATI Bicol Scholarship Focal Person at 0912-204-0012. 

Deadline of submission of all requirements is until January 30, 2023.

Registration form for Farm Partner: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jXlLhrvX0hXwYNPS0C1WTVR23bRMBqZT/ed…

Registration form for Youth Trainee: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mcUG_GEh1pTZF5mzOasbftT7hIt2aSys/ed…  

Business Model Canvas (BMC) (For Trainee Applicant

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ezBegtNru7Iu7tKUjDc20BW5yLdL2Sc/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103911898836549564296&rtpof=true&sd=true

Internship Program Plan (For Farm Partner Applicant)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ciGjr9UL-ruuXS-w5scLVDizlj6G2fc7/ed…

Screening Process

All applications shall undergo screening process by the Screening and Selection Committee. The Committee shall assess and verify the completeness and accuracy of the documents submitted by the applicants.

All applicants shall undergo prioritization ranking based on the following criteria to select the target number of trainees:

Graduate of 4-year course

Criteria	25 points	20 points	15 points	10 points
Educational/training background on agriculture	Graduate of Bachelor’s degree major in Organic Agriculture	Graduate of any Bachelor’s degree related in Agriculture	Graduate of any related Bachelor’s degree	Graduate of any Bachelor’s degree
Farm Experience	More than 3 years	2 to 3 years	More than a year	Less than a year
Re-entry plan on the preferred production area (crop, livestock and poultry, fishery, and processing)	Complete operation, human resources, marketing and financial plan	Complete operation, marketing and financial plan	Complete operation and marketing plan	Complete operation plan
Availability of site for planned project	Site under the name of the immediate family of the trainee	Site under tenancy of the family	Site with written commitment for rent/usufruct to the trainee	Has no clear site for planned project

 

 

Out of school youth

Criteria	25 points	20 points	15 points	10 points
Educational/training background on agriculture	Graduate of TESDA vocational courses on agriculture	With NC II certification on organic agriculture	At least high school graduate and/or training certificate on organic agriculture	High school level
Farm Experience	More than 3 years	2 to 3 years	More than a year	Less than a year
Re-entry plan on the preferred production area (crop, livestock and poultry, fishery, and processing)	Complete operation, human resources, marketing and financial plan	Complete operation, marketing and financial plan	Complete operation and marketing plan	Complete operation plan
Availability of site for planned project	Site under the name of the immediate family of the trainee	Site under tenancy of the family	Site with written commitment for rent/usufruct to the trainee	Has no clear site for planned project