DILIMAN, Quezon City—A new batch of qualified young farmers from various regions of the country will now begin a 75-day training course on agriculture and cooperative management.

This is as part of the continuing partnership of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) for the Young Filipino Farm Leaders’ Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ).

A total of 21 trainees, including 18 males and three females, will undergo the Pre-Departure Orientation Course (PDOC) as a preparatory course before they take off for an 11-month training in Japan.

The YFFLTPJ batch 2019 is the first batch of trainees to include young women farmers. The said inclusion is part of the agreement of the ATI and JAEC during their 2018 annual meeting. This was also stipulated in the five-year Bilateral Program Agreement between the two organizations.

In the opening ceremony of this year’s PDOC, ATI Director Alfredo Aton expressed his full support to the young farmers. He, likewise, reminded them to always practice excellence and discipline as they cope with the Japanese culture.

Willy De Chavez, JAEC-Manila Secretary, advised the young farmers to maximize their time in learning Nihongo during their PDOC. He said that most trainees usually encounter difficulty in speaking Nihongo which makes it hard for them to communicate with their host families.

The PDOC is intended to provide the trainees with technical knowledge and skills that will equip them to become farmer-leaders and agricultural entrepreneurs. It is also conducted to introduce the trainees to the Japanese culture, especially Nihongo.

Jay Intes from Region XI is one of this year’s trainees. He looked forward to the activities of the PDOC as he believed that these will help them become better farmers.

The PDOC for the YFFLTPJ batch 2019 officially started January 28, 2019 at the ATI Central Office compound.