LOS ANGELES, Butuan City – To ensure an effective management scheme and unified direction for the development of the Rural-Based Organizations (RBO) in the region, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 through its Point Person Mary Jane A. Gonzaga conducted the Regional RBO Assessment and Planning Workshop.

Gonzaga presented the various interventions extended to the RBO which include the provision of extension support in the form of starter kits for vegetable production to the members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) and Senior Citizens under the funding of the Regular program. She mentioned that some of the trainings and events requiring face to face engagements were refocused to align with the government’s safety and health protocols. Online competitions were initiated for young farmers. She added that ATI conducted a webinar on mushroom production which was participated not only by farmers but also those who were interested in growing mushroom.

The said activity also served as a venue for sharing of updates and accomplishments of the partners from the Provincial and City Agriculture Offices. The RBO Coordinators reported their RBO-related projects and activities in their respective LGUs such as the conduct of trainings on organizational management and proposal writing, provision of extension support and vegetable gardening contests.

On the other hand, Scholarship Point Person Mary Grace B. Salve presented the updates on ATI’s scholarship grant dubbed as the Educational Assistance for the Youth in Agriculture (EAsY Agri). There are 14 EAsY Agri grantees in the region for SY 2020 – 2021. She also announced advance information from the Central Office, that previous beneficiaries of YES and DAT BAT scholarship program may avail of an additional grant amounting 50,000 per proposal for the expansion of their Farm Business Venture. This, however, is subject to the evaluation of the Partnership and Accreditation Services Section (PASS). Moreover, she mentioned the upcoming Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP) which is an online mentoring for aspiring and existing agripreneurs. It will commence on October 21, 2020 in partnership with PCE Go Negosyo.

Part of the agreements sealed during the meeting is the submission of an updated masterlist of RBOs and application for insurance at the Philippine Crop Insurance Council (PCIC) before the end of this month.

A total of 20 RBO Officers and Provincial and City Coordinators joined the virtual meeting via Google Meet application last October 15, 2020.