DILIMAN, Quezon City - In line with the advocacy to encourage the younger generations to take interest in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has lined up youth development programs this year under the Youth Agripreneurship Program Fund (YAPF) and Young Farmers Program Fund (YFPF).

DA promotes inclusive agribusiness that enable the youth to engage in farming and become food producers until eventually they become entrepreneurs.

Being one of the implementers of the program, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) conducted a national consultation meeting with the Center Directors and designated key persons of the respective ATI-Regional Training Centers last February 17-19, 2020 at the ATI-Central Office. Ms. Josephine K. Aben presented the mechanics and guidelines of the YAPF, a supplemental fund worth 460,160,000.00 and YFPF worth 50,000,000.00 under Senator Grace Poe.

Partnership and Accreditation Division Chief Engr. Renato Dela Cruz emphasized that programs and projects should be based on the eight paradigms to level up agriculture as introduced by DA Secretary William D. Dar.

Meanwhile, OIC Assistant Director Dr. Rosana P. Mula presented the Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (CPAFES).

The meeting was attended by ATI-Regional Training Center 13 Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo and RBO/4-H Coordinator Mary Jane A. Gonzaga who confirmed that the center has a total allotment of 30 million for trainings, establishment of Learning Sites for Agriculture, and, 4-H Learning Hub (with report from Mary Jane A. Gonzaga).