The second batch of the Youth Internship Program for Corn Young Farmers officially launched in Ifugao with an Orientation and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony on May 15, 2025 at Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. This marked a major step forward for young interns eager to gain hands-on agricultural experience and training.
ATI-RTC-CAR delegation headed by Mr. Maximino Aromin Jr., Assistant Center Director, Mr. Kyle Baniwas, Accountant I, and Ms. Vicky May Guinayen, Corn Focal Person and LGU representative headed by Mr. Eugenio M. Culimay, Municipal Agriculturist witnessed the MOA signing.
Their presence is a support to continually empower the youth and strengthen community-based agricultural development.
In his message, Mr. Aromin emphasized the essential role of youth in ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. “This is not just an internship—it’s a stepping stone to a better future,” he said. He also urged the parents to help their children recognize the long-term value of agricultural work.
Mr. Culimay, also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to ATI for bringing this opportunity to the community. He emphasized that the internship goes beyond skills training—it fosters sustainable practices that interns can apply and share. He challenged the interns to go beyond mono-cropping and to explore integrated ventures, such as combining corn with livestock or small ruminants. Further, he assured the interns of the continued support of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), which is to provide technical assistance as needed.
During the orientation, Ms. Guinayen presented the official guidelines for the internship program. She outlined the expectations, responsibilities, and benefits of the internship to ensure that all participants clearly understood the goals and structure of their internship comprising seven months of hands-on learning and one year of project implementation.
With the program now underway, the interns are set to gain not only agricultural skills but also the resilience, innovation, and drive needed to lead a more sustainable farming. //Glory Anongos, CDMS Technical Support Staff
