Dahilayan, BUKIDNON---In support to the Department of Agriculture's (DA's) advocacy to entice the Filipino youth to engage and venture in agriculture, 15 state university scholars were assessed in terms of their academic performance under the Agricultural Training Institute's (ATI) scholarship program---the Educational Assistance for the Youth or the EAsY Agri Program. The said program is dedicated to the children of small-scale farmers and fisherfolks to encourage them in pursuing a professional career in agriculture and fisheries or to venture in agri-entrepreneurship.

ATI being the implementer of the EAsY Agri Scholarship Program, recognizes the importance of evaluating the performance of the students, recently held its Year-end Assessment for EAsY Agri Scholarship Program for the 1st Semester of SY 2021-2022.

The said activity aims to review and identify what needs to be improved operationally in the upcoming academic year. Efficient planning were rolled out to address the concerns of the students as per recommendations by the scholarship committee. The year-end assessment also intends to let the students understand their future role and participation in countryside development and contribution in the agriculture sector at large.

Among the setback that the scholars have experienced is the unstable internet connection, as most of them live in remote areas with very weak or intermittent signal to participate in their online classes. Despite the limitations, the scholars are committed to do their best as they were closely monitored and guided by the scholarship point persons of the ATI Regional Training Centers. Also, the center have set clear and actionable guidance for them necessary in adapting to the new normal, since Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes in the lives of the students.

To help boost their productivity, the center issued android tablets last year and external hard drives recently to the scholars and load cards to the coordinators.

To date, ATI Northern Mindanao currently has fifteen (15) scholars with 10 taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and five (5) taking up Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, through its partner state universities Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Bukidnon and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The EAsY Agri Program will run from 2020 to 2025 to cover the four-year program for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture and related courses and five-year program for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Present during the assessment include the Local Scholarship Committee (LSC) and the City and Municipal Coordinators Dayana Padilla from LGU Impasugong, Municipal Agriculturist Teresita Buhian from LGU Kalilangan, Rhea F. Olili from LGU Malaybalay, Maribeth Barrio from LGU Manolo, and Jessica Vicente from LGU Balingasag. Municipal Agriculture Officer Gemma Cania of Manolo Fortich delivered her welcome message.

ATI Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez, Assistant Center Director Noemi Beth G. Macario, Senior Agriculturist Anita L. Molijon, Information Officer II Maria Eloisa A. Akut, and Training Specialist III Teodosia D. Jaraba rounded off the participants coming from the center.

The Year-end Assessment for EAsY Agri Scholarship Program for the 1st Semester of SY 2021-2022 was held on December 29-30, 2021 at Alomah’s Place and Nature Farm in Dahilayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (with reports from Ms. Jhoylie Mae C. Rosales-Caumban, Development Management Officer II / EAsY Agri Local Scholarship Committee member / Rice Program Point Person)