Malaybalay City, BUKIDNON--- The introduction of Adopt a 4-H’er Program by ATI was a good opportunity for young farmers and Out-of-School Youth (OSY) to be developed in making better living condition for their respective families. By applying the fundamental learnings gained from the program, the OSY 4-H’ers becomes active participants and significant contributors in developing productive agricultural lands, building farm-business enterprises, and help in ensuring food sufficiency and security for the country.
Recently, 10 young farmers have completed the month-long homestay program of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) which transpired at the Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm and Molann Diversified Farm, both of which are the center’s Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) partners.
During their stay, the young farmers were able to engage in hands-on training on cultural practices of the different agricultural commodities; agreed to work at a minimum of eight (8) hours a day with a total of 48 hours a week and/or maximum of 60 hours a week; and learn the basic concepts and practical application of farm production management.
As beneficiaries of the 4-H Club Youth Development Program (Adopt A 4-Hers Homestay Program) and contributors to agricultural development, there is a need to give more attention to the young farmer entrepreneurs among the agricultural sector. Through the program with hands-on training, it intends to educate and develop our OSY 4-H’ers to become successful agri-entrepreneurs by learning the basic concepts and practical application of farm production management; enhance their technical knowledge in the production, processing and marketing of any agricultural commodity/s of their interest; and establish the right attitude, self-esteem and confidence as a farmer-entrepreneur, through actual farming application and hands-on processing and value adding activity.
“Sa una nakong abot sa host farm, naa nakoy gamayng kahibalo sa pag panguma pero sa dihang nag start nami sa paghimo sa mga buluhaton nadungagan pag usab akong kahibalo. Example kay sa land diversification and utilization. Ang pinaka importante sa tanan ang paghatag ng bili sa usa ka butang. Dri nako natun-an sa Molann ug Umanika farm ang diversified farming”, said Leonie B. Meliston Jr. of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Meanwhile, the host farmer is expected to provide lectures and hands-on on farm production activities like value-adding, agri-entrepreneurship and marketing, transformational leadership, project proposal making, farm mechanization, or any topics the host farmer is capable of delivering; provide the trainees with a one (1) rest day per week; schedule the working hours with a maximum of 60 hours a week; provide comfortable and suitable living quarters; and provide needed farm tools, training materials, and reading materials to the trainees.
The participants received a completion certificate and each of them has the following post-training support as their starter kits, to wit: Training Supplies, Personal Protective Equipment (working sleeve w/ hood, protective rubber boots, disposable facemask, alcohol, buli hat, industrial gloves with rubber), shovel, herbs, scythe, Chicken (Ready-to-Lay pullets and cockerel), training bags, vegetable seeds (pinakbet), cell cards worth 500, fly traps, atomizer, 4-H T-shirts, mugs, sprinkler, and seedling tray. Also, the host farmers provided them with farm plants and books as their reading materials.
Mr. Reynaldo Gil G. Lomarda shared about the history of Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm and inspired the participants, as well as the guests of its humble beginning. He also shared the values and practices done in the farm that the participants have experienced during the homestay program. Mr. Lomarda have high hopes that the young farmers will apply the learnings and good values gained to their respective farms.
The 10 young farmers, who all hails from Bukidnon, have successfully completed their homestay program include Roy Andrei L. Asibal of Malaybalay City, Leonie B. Meliston Jr. of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Roberto M. Quinto Jr of Kadingilan, Bukidnon, Alvin P. Oras of Sumilao, Bukidnon, Randy T. Donque of Malaybalay City, Nestor M. Pendoy of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, Nestor L. Semortin of Malaybalay City, Dexter Donm Alingay of Kadingilan, Bukidnon, James Kynt P. Belera of Valencia City, Bukidnon, and Justine Aninloy of Valencia City, Bukidnon on August 2-31, 2021. (with reports from Cristine A. Galupo, Agriculturist-II)