(Sr. Agriculturist Javier Andala explains the qualifications for the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture and Corn Production. (Photo courtesy of Radyo Pilipinas Cagayan de Oro)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-10 invites young Filipinos to explore careers in farming through its Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture and Corn Production.
The program aims to provide young individuals with the skills and knowledge for sustainable farming while addressing the declining number of farmers in the country.
Senior Agriculturist and Training Specialist Javier Andala emphasized the importance of involving youth in agriculture.
“Nagka-edaran atong mga mag-uuma mao nang gi-entice nato atong kabtan-onan nga mu-engage diha sa agriculture,” Andala said.
(Our farmers are getting older, which is why we are encouraging the youth to engage in agriculture.)
The internship is open to Filipino citizens aged 18 to 35 who are interested in organic farming and agriculture. Applicants must be physically and mentally fit.
Program duration depends on the chosen track. The Organic Agriculture program lasts 21 months, including nine months at a host farm, while the Corn Production program runs for 19 months, with seven months spent on a host farm. The remaining months are for project development, where interns will submit proposals to ATI for approval.
The program is free, with interns receiving a monthly allowance of P5,000 during their time at the host farm. Approved project proposals will also receive a start-up budget to help interns launch their agricultural ventures.
While the organic agriculture internship has started, applications for the corn production program are still open.
ATI is also seeking farm partners to serve as learning sites for the interns. Approved farm partners will be certified by ATI and receive P5,000 for each intern they host.
To ensure interns’ commitment, ATI requires a memorandum of agreement signed by all parties involved.
Jeriel Canonigo, a successful program graduate, shared his experience ,saying, “Sa internship sa ATI, naa na tanan kay kaniang naa nay training sa tanan, financial, literacy, ug sa produksyon.”
(During the ATI internship, everything was provided, including training in financial literacy and production.)
After completing the program, Canonigo started his own native chicken livestock business. He also plans to open a local eatery specializing in native chicken dishes.
Andala said ATI aims to train 150 interns nationwide this year and hopes to double that number in the future. The institute remains committed to providing young people with the skills needed to succeed in agriculture. (HSGA/PIA-10)
