Youth Scholarship Grant On Organic Farming

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 1) nine-month schooling and on-site training to the farm partners, and 2) 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 1^st 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.

The grants will be given to 150 trainees and shall cover the following:

There is a need to increase organic practitioners in every region, and the NOAP hopes to cater all interested applicants, as much as possible. However, due to the budget constraints, only 150 trainees can be accommodated to the allotted fund for this program during its first year of implementation.

Eligibility and Documentary Requirements

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

1. Farm Partners

2. Trainees

Application

Submission of application can be done physically or via email. For, interested applicants in Eastern Visayas, send in your application and documentary requirements to: atirtc8@ati.da.gov.ph or visit our office at the Visayas State University Campus, Baybay City, Leyte.

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.

One hundred fifty (150) trainees shall be selected among the applicants. All applicants shall undergo prioritization ranking based on the following criteria to select the target number of trainees:

1 Graduate of 4-year course

Out of school youth