The Regional Training of the Agricultural Training Institute in the Cordillera Administrative Region through its Organic Agriculture (OA) Program is now on its full blast of implementation of the Young Internship Program for Organic Agriculture (YIPOA).
A total of 11 OA youth applicants were assessed and have successfully passed the requirements as an intern of the said program. On June 10, 2024, the ATI-RTC-CAR through its Organic Agriculture (OA) Program briefed the interns and 6 farm partners about the said program.
Mr. Edwin C. Dicksen, OA Focal Person, briefed the Youth Applicants and Farm Partners regarding the YIPOA. He pointed out that the YIPOA is a specialized internship program designed to instill and develop the trainees' appreciation and eagerness for organic agriculture and eventually adopt it as their source of income. The 21-month internship program for the youth aims to fully immerse the grantees in the actual farming scenarios and organic practices. The program was patterned after the internship program of the Korean Government wherein there is 100% engagement of their scholars in the agriculture sector after the training completion. Unlike other scholarship programs that only provide financial support, the program provides start-up support and mentoring for the implementation of its business plan and also to empower the youth to become organic agripreneurs.
Entire the Philippines, a total of 150 Youth Interns are expected to complete the whole course with 75 farm partners at 2 interns per farm/Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA). A monthly internship/mentoring fee and monthly stipend at ₱5,000.00 per farm partner and intern will be provided by ATI-RTCs for the first 9 months. A start-up capital amounting to ₱150,000.00 per intern will be given after completing the 9-month deployment. Likewise, the ₱120,000.00 additional cash incentive for the interns will be given after successfully implementing their farm enterprise/business. The same amount will be given to the farm partners if they continuously and diligently provide the needed assistance to the interns.
Mr. Dicksen likewise reviewed the group regarding the eligibility criteria, documentary requirements, implementation, and application procedures for the program. He also reminded the roles and responsibilities of the youth interns and the farm partners.
In the afternoon of June 10 to 21, 2024 the interns began their 10-day pre-deployment/internship at the farms of farm partners to try out their tasks and compatibility.
On June 24, 2024, the interns finally signed their MOA signifying their interest and commitment to continue on with the said program.// with reports from Mr. Edwin C. Dicksen, OA Focal Person
