YOUTH PROGRAMS

Apart from the AEWs, the Institute also supports initiatives for the Filipino youth. As such, ATI offers youth exchange programs and leadership skills training programs to provide opportunities for young Filipino farmer-leaders to acquire advanced skills and knowledge on up-to-date agricultural technologies, while harnessing their leadership potentials in agribusiness management. Selection of participants for these programs is done through the ATI’s network of training centers.

International Exchange Programs

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). These programs aim to develop deserving youth to become farmer leaders and empowered agricultural entrepreneurs. Designed to provide opportunities for an exchange of agricultural information of mutual interest among the participants, these programs also serve as a platform to harness their leadership potentials in the field of agricultural and cooperative management.

Both programs comprise a pre-departure orientation course ranging from 40 – 90 days, an 11-month intensive on-farm training in the partner country, and a post evaluation and re-entry planning back in the Philippines for seven days. For YFFLTPJ, the participants undergo a home-stay module for 45-60 days under the guidance of an alumnus to test the participants’ endurance, adaptability and coping with the real scenario in preparation for their training in Japan.

Young Filipino Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ)

This program is a commitment of the Japanese government to ASEAN regions through the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). In the Philippines, the program started in 1986 with ATI as the lead implementing agency. After five years, the program was transferred to the then National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC) until 2014. As a result of the rationalization of the Philippine Government, where NAFC was consolidated with the then Livestock Development Council into the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the program was transferred back to ATI in support of the Institute’s programs for the 4-H Club organizations and rural-based organizations .

The program comprises a homestay module for 45-60 days under the guidance of an alumnus to test the participants’ endurance, adaptability, and coping with the real scenario in preparation for their training in Japan. After which, the participants shall undergo a pre-departure orientation course for 75-90 days at the ATI Central Office in Quezon City before they embark on an 11-month intensive on-farm training with their host families in Japan. A post-evaluation and re-entry planning will be held upon their return to the Philippines for sharing of insights and experiences, assessment and evaluation of the training program, as well as action planning and presentation of agribusiness proposals based on their learnings and experiences during the on-farm training.

Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan (FYFIPT)

The program is a partnership between the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO), together with ATI, through a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to enhance existing relations through the implementation of an internship program to qualified young Filipino farmers. The FYFIPT consists of 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.

The participants shall undergo a six-week Mandarin Online Class and Pre-Departure Orientation Course before they embark on an 11-month internship program in Taiwan. A post-evaluation and re-entry planning will likewise be held upon their return to the Philippines for sharing of insights and experiences, assessment and evaluation of the training program, as well as action planning and presentation of agribusiness proposals.

National Youth Programs

Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming

This 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. Part of the scholarship 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.

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.

Binhi ng Pag-asa Program (BPP)

The BPP is a partnership of ATI with the Office of Senator Grace Poe (OSGP) and is designed to empower young people to become competent agripreneurs and motivate them through leadership and values formation training. BPP's main approach is the conduct of localized training at the community level.

Implemented in selected provinces, the program consists of five main components, such as the project launch, training of trainers on leadership, the provincial and municipal/city training programs, provision of starter Kits, and regional and national summit.

Internship Program for Corn Young Farmers

This program is in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture’s National Corn Program to provide opportunities for the youth to acquire the applicable knowledge, skills, and practices, specifically on corn-based agri-entrepreneurship. The identified farm partners shall serve as mentors for the selected interns on farm activities within the corn value chain through value-adding, processing, or marketing activities.