Introduction
One way to promote organic agriculture, and thereby expand the system, is by the provision of scholarships and training.
The DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) implement several scholarship programs and training 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 to the provision of scholarship to include intensified and extensive hands-on training on farms, provision of start-up project support funds for the trainees, and mentoring during the implementation of enterprise projects 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 fees 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 the 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 a profit to ensure sustainability and boost their morale. As they complete the program, they will stay as farmers 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 of the scholarship grant.
See Also: GSIS Educational Subsidy Program (GESP) AY 2023
Objectives of Youth Scholarship Grant On Organic Farming
The program aims to contribute to the attainment of food sovereignty by 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 and 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 enterprises;
- increase organic agriculture areas; and
- increase adopters of organic agriculture practices.
Scope and Coverage of Youth Scholarship Grant On Organic Farming
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 systems, 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 1st year implementation of, 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, and equipment, among others.
Considering that the trainees are still starting their businesses, they need monthly assistance for their food and other basic 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:
| PARTICULARS | YEAR 1(FY 2023) | YEAR 2(FY 2024) | REMARKS |
| Farm Partners | 75 | 75 | @1.0 hectare/ trainee x 150 trainees/ batch the project hopes to increase 150 OA adopters/ year and expand 150 hectares OA areas/ year;75 farms will be from different provinces and practicing chemical-free/ organic farming system; Graduates of BS agriculture and related courses or holders of NCII on OA are a priority in the selection of trainees |
| Trainees per Farm | 2 | 2 | |
| Total Trainees | 150 | 150 | |
| Internship/Mentoring Fee | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| Monthly stipend | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 | |
| No. of Months | 9 | 12 | |
| Start-up Support | 150,000.00 | – | |
| Monthly Cost | 1,500,000.00 | 2,250,000.00 | |
| Project Coordination and other MOOE | 4,500,000.00 | For the conduct of monthly monitoring, performance evaluation, and insurance | |
| Annual Cost | 40,500,000.00 | 27,000,000.00 |
There is a need to increase organic practitioners in every region, and the NOAP hopes to cater to all interested applicants, as much as possible. However, due to budget constraints, only 150 trainees can be accommodated into 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
| Eligibility Criteria | Documentary Requirement |
| Farm operator/owner of a certified organic or chemical-free farm, preferably LSA certified farm | Notarized Affidavit as owner/operator of an organic and/or chemical-free farm; Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) certification, if applicable |
| Must be in operation for at least one (1) year | Farm Journal; Financial statement for the previous year’s operation |
| Has farm activities within the value chain either production, value-adding, processing, or marketing | Farm layout; Photos of farm and its facilities including accommodation areas; List and biodata of resource persons/trainers; |
| Has basic farm tools, equipment, or facilities needed for its operation | |
| Has accommodation facility for at least two (2) trainees | |
| Has an internship program plan from March to November within a year | Internship Program plan and design including performance evaluation and post-internship assessment |
| With good community standing and has no proven derogatory record | At least two (2) recommendations letter from a community leader (e.g. barangay captain, parish priest, school principal, civil society organization, farmers’ cooperative, or association) |
| The farm area is not part of military-identified conflict zones | Certification from the respective AFP infantry division |
| Others | Letter of intent addressed to the DA-ATI Regional Director |
| Bank account details, preferably LBP if available |
2. Trainees
| Eligibility Criteria | Documentary Requirement |
| Youth | |
| Age 18 to 35 years old at the time of application | Clear scanned copy of any valid government-issued ID (indicating the date of birth) |
| Natural-born Filipino citizen | |
| Interested to enter the agriculture industry, especially practicing organic agriculture | Notarized Sworn Statement as proof of willingness and commitment to undertake organic agriculture-related activities/enterprises after the training; Business Model Canvas (BMC) |
| Willingness to undertake a 21-month internship and hands-on practice contract | |
| Physically and mentally fit | Medical certificate indicating “fit to work” |
| Has good community standing or moral character | At least two (2) recommendation letters from a community leader (e.g. barangay captain, parish priest, school principal, civil society organization, farmers’ cooperative, or association) |
| Others | Bank account details, preferably LBP if available |
| Accomplished application form |
Application
Submission of the application can be done physically or via email. For, interested applicants in Eastern Visayas, send in your application and documentary requirements to: [email protected] or visit our office at the Visayas State University Campus, Baybay City, Leyte.
All applications shall undergo a 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:
Graduate of a 4-year course
| Criteria | 25 points | 20 points | 15 points | 10 points |
| Educational/training background in agriculture | Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Organic Agriculture | Graduate of any Bachelor’s degree related to Agriculture | Graduate of any related Bachelor’s degree | Graduate of any Bachelor’s degree |
| Farm Experience | More than 3 years | 2 to 3 years | More than a year | Less than a year |
| Re-entry plan on the preferred production area (crop, livestock and poultry, fishery, and processing) | The complete operation, human resources, marketing, and financial plan | The complete operation, marketing, and financial plan | Complete operation and marketing plan | Complete operation plan |
| Availability of site for the planned project | Site under the name of the immediate family of the trainee | Site under the tenancy of the family | Site with written commitment for rent/usufruct to the trainee | Has no clear site for the planned project |
Out-of-school youth
| Criteria | 25 points | 20 points | 15 points | 10 points |
| Educational/training background in agriculture | Graduate of TESDA vocational courses in agriculture | With NC II certification in organic agriculture | At least a high school graduate and/or training certificate in organic agriculture | High school level |
| Farm Experience | More than 3 years | 2 to 3 years | More than a year | Less than a year |
| Re-entry plan on the preferred production area (crop, livestock and poultry, fishery, and processing) | The complete operation, human resources, marketing, and financial plan | The complete operation, marketing, and financial plan | Complete operation and marketing plan | Complete operation plan |
| Availability of site for the planned project | Site under the name of the immediate family of the trainee | Site under the tenancy of the family | Site with written commitment for rent/usufruct to the trainee | Has no clear site for the planned project |
Source: Agricultural Training Institute
