ORIENTAL MINDORO - As one of the chosen provinces to implement the Binhi ng Pag-asa Program (BPP), the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) MIMAROPA rolled out the BPP among the youth and 4H leaders of Oriental Mindoro through the conduct of Provincial Level Training on Leadership and Agricultural Technologies on July 19 – 21, 2022 at ATI CAFÉ Hall, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
The training aimed to strengthen the leadership and enhance the knowledge and skills of youth in agri-fisheries endeavor.
Thirty-one (31) youth and 4H leaders participated in the said training. Through the three-day training, the participants learned basic production technologies and practices in different commodities such as organic vegetable production, free-range chicken and organic swine production. Moreover, Mr. Andre Van James S. Villanueva, Aquaculturist I from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – MIMAROPA shared technologies on tilapia production to give them an idea on backyard or inland fish production. To observe innovations and get additional ideas in the establishment of agri-enterprise on different commodities, they visited the ATI Organic Techno Demo Site where an integrated diversified organic farming system is applied. Aside from agricultural technologies, leadership and values formation were shared by representatives from the Office of Senator Grace Poe (OSGP). These knowledge and skills were deemed critical on establishing agri-enterprise which is the output of the program.
To make their future agri-enterprise successful, the participants identified the problems arising in the community and also proposed possible solution to address such. They were also taught how to market their agricultural produce and services using social media.
Since the program is a proposal-based, they were guided on how to make or write project proposal. Mr. Ruben P. Jugno, former Assistant Director of ATI MIMAROPA helped them formulate their project proposals – from making titles to writing of its content. He also reminded the participants to have their proposals reviewed by others before submitting the same to ATI.
According to Angelyn Faminiano, youth/member of Samahang Kapit-bisig ng Happy Valley, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, the three-day training was all worth it for she has learned a lot.
“Isa sa mga pinaka-useful na natutunan ko ay ang paggawa ng feeds for swine. Ito ang aming malaking suliranin dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng feeds sa market. I believe na ang pagpapaunlad sa agrikultura ang sagot sa kahirapan,” she said.
This was also the statement of Mayven P. Gabia, BS Agriculture student from Mindoro State University. He said that although he is currently taking up Agriculture but with this training, he gained more knowledge and skills in agriculture particularly in the management of swine and poultry as well as crops management. He said that he is certain that indeed there is money in agriculture and he’ll engage himself in agri-enterprise as income generating and livelihood project.
After the training, only 30 young farmer participants qualified for the assistance and will receive the starter kit amounting to PhP11,000.00 based on their project proposal. Once the procurement is successfully done, the starter kit will be delivered in their respective areas.
The BPP is a flagship program of the OSGP in partnership with ATI. Aside from Provincial Level Training, 17 municipal trainings will also roll out in Oriental Mindoro and expected to produce a total of 455 young Mindoreños as beneficiaries of the program.
