By May Flor Magciano and Jen Sabado-Tabangcura
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- College graduates and undergraduates preferably of Agriculture,
Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR) courses, ages 20 to 38 years old, can now
have the funds to make their business ideas materialize through the Young
Farmers Program (YFP).
The program includes 13 days of rigid
training on entrepreneurship theories and enterprise practicum then after the
training, the participants can avail of a grant and a loan for their business
proposals.
YFP through the National Agricultural and
Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture would provide 40% grant
to the total production cost of a farming enterprise in Benguet, Baguio City
and Mountain Province as supplement to the 50% loan that could be availed from
the Cooperative Bank of Benguet (CBB) and the 10% equity required.
Interested applicants to the YFP have to
obtain endorsements of their school head, Barangay Captain/Barangay
Agricultural and Fishery Council (BAFC), Municipal Agriculturist/Municipal
Agricultural and Fishery Council, Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council
and CAR Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council, and CBB. Proponents
from Baguio City will be endorsed by BAFC, City Agricultural and Fishery
Council (CAFC) and RAFC. They have to prepare a project feasibility and project
proposal which have to be defended to these councils. Forms are available at
the BSU-Project Development Office. The program is open to groups and
individuals.
The YFP was launched in 2003 with Sen. Ramon
B. Magsaysay Jr. with the objectives to encourage young graduates to become
agro-fisheries entrepreneurs and to provide more job or income opportunities
especially in the countryside.
The program also aims to enhance
competitiveness of agriculture and fisheries through value-adding small and
medium-scale enterprises and empower the youth to become participants in nation
building through acquisition and application of entrepreneurship
skills.
There are 22 recent graduates of the
entrepreneurship program for this year coming from Baguio City, Buguias, Atok,
Mankayan and La Trinidad closely mentored by experts in the fields of their
interest. Angeline B. Castro and Junel P. Marcos were trained in oyster
mushroom production by Jumarlyn L. Abad at the BSU Mushroom Project. Genie B.
Soyon was trained on Greenhouse Hydrophonics Production of Vegetables by Sergio
T. Gayao at the BSU Experiment Station. Agnes S. Philip was trained on organic
vegetable production and Klesinger C. Otculan was trained on vegetable multiple
cropping in open field and inside greenhouse also at the BSU Balili Experiment
Station byDr. Antonio B. Otculan.
Joseph B. Batcagan and Joy M. Macasling were trained
on Poultry Egg Production by Prof. Myrna B. Walsiyen. Jayson D. Orlani,
Jimuel P. Peg-ed, and Peterson S. Bacdayan were trained on apiculture at the
BSU-Buguias Apiculture Project by Mr. Julius M. Abyado. Herson M. Dampulay and
Eden O. Ligod were trained on swine raising at the BSU-Buguias Swine Project by
Mr. Dick M. Segundo. Apolonio B. Deneng, Novelyn K. Lokino, and
Asuncion C. Tanacio were trained on Potato Production at the BSU-Northern
Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) by Paz A. Dalang.
Arlyn D. Atiwag, Ms. Mary P. Bugtong, Ms.
Semelina D. Cabigat, and Ms. Geraldine E. Depayso were trained on Carnation and
Colored Calla Lily Production at Mountain Bloom and Greens Multi-purpose
Cooperative in Paoay, Atok, Benguet by Prof. Faustino G. Hermano. May
Marie L. Ignas was trained on Anthurium Production at Gonzales’ Anthurium Farm
in Shilan, La Trinidad byDr. Ines C. Gonzales. Donnie Ray N. Cho and Melody T.
Ayupan had adequate trainings on Strawberry Production and Natural Soap
Production, respectively
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