LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – The Regional Scholarship Committee of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 hosted the semestral assessment for the first semester SY 2020 – 2021 of the grantees of the Educational Assistance for the Youth in Agriculture (EAsY Agri).

The 14 grantees convened last February 10, 2021 purposely to assess the effectiveness of the program implementation. It also aimed to evaluate the scholar’s school performance and progress of compliance to the requirements of the scholarship intervention especially that the first semester has ended.

Prior to the assessment proper, the grantees were toured at the different project components within the ATI Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA). They also gained insights on the entrepreneurial journey of Ruben M. Ragas on how they, as a farm family, gradually transform their simple vegetable garden into a promising learning site not only for neighboring farmers to emulate but also to other agri-enthusiasts. Ragas Farm is a certified LSA located in Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

In his message, Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo encouraged the grantees to set their perspective that being a future agriculture graduate is more than just seeking employment, rather greater opportunities await them in engaging into actual farming and eventually in agripreneurship. OIC Chief of the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section Matt Andrew G. Baquiano also presented ATI’s ladderized extension approach.

Information Services Section Chief Fil Victor A. Babanto presented the status of enrollment to e-learning courses of the grantees as part of their commitment in order to gain additional knowledge in agriculture. Babanto also clarified common issues and problems encountered by the e-learning enrollees and recognized those who have completed up to five courses by giving tokens and awards.

Another highlight of the activity is the distribution of tablet computers as ICT support to the grantee’s online learning system and starter kits for the establishment of their urban gardening project. They also received advocacy hats, shirts, processing kits, communication support courtesy of the banner programs.

The EAsY Agri is one scholarship intervention of ATI to supply the need for the agricultural professionals who will ensure the future of farming in the country toward achieving sustainability and food security.