DILIMAN, Quezon City—After his 11-month on-farm training through the Young Filipino Farm Leaders’ Training Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ), John Paul Cabangal, from Region XII, is now ready to adopt a science-based method of farming which he learned from his Japanese farmer-mentor.

Cabangal, who leads the 2018 batch of the YFFLTPJ as president, spoke about this during the assessment and post-evaluation activity facilitated for them by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

“Kung science-based po ang approach ng farming, mas maganda ang results,” he elaborated. [“If the approach to farming is science-based, better results can be achieved.”]

Cabangal and the rest of the 2018 batch of YFFLTPJ trainees returned to the country on February 23, 2019 after living with Japanese farmers for almost a year to learn about the modern and innovative farming techniques that they utilize.

Steven Patarata, from the University of Southern Mindanao, also said that one of the best practices he learned in Japan is on land preparation in rice farming. According to him, the practice is necessary to soil conservation and is highly needed in the Philippines.

Moreover, Ildefonso Beltran, from Region X, stated that he considers his entire experience in the program as his best achievement in life so far. He said, “Kung tatanungin ako, 100 percent na naging masaya ako sa nangyari sa buhay ko at ito (YFFLTPJ) po ang pinakamataas na achievement ko so far.” [“If you ask me, I am 100 percent happy with my experience and this is my highest achievement so far.”]

The new graduates also gave pieces of advice to the 2019 batch during a meet-and-greet session. Majority of them recommended that the present batch study Nihongo intensively so that they can communicate well with their host farmers.

ATI Director Alfredo Aton congratulated the returning trainees and expressed his continuous support as they apply their newly acquired knowledge in improving their respective farms.

“One of the thrusts of the Agriculture Secretary is to focus on the young farmers being trained in Japan and monitor their milestones,” he furthered.

Other highlights of the week-long Assessment and Post-evaluation for YFFLTPJ Batch 2018 include the presentation of the performance evaluation output, a thanksgiving party, preparation of project proposals, and a commitment-signing. The young farmers are expected to implement their farm plans within the year.

The assessment and post-evaluation activity was held last February 23-March 1, 2019 at the ATI Training Hall in the ATI Central Office compound.