EAsY Agri aims to help children of smallholder farmers and fishers pursue studies in agriculture and bring back the youth’s interest in this field. (photo by Ashlee Canilang)
DILIMAN, Quezon City—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is now accepting applications for the “Educational Assistance for the Youth: Degree Courses in Agriculture and Agricultural Biosystems Engineering” (EAsY Agri).
Through its Regional Training Centers (RTCs) nationwide, ATI is offering this scholarship program for capable and deserving youth, particularly the children of smallholder farmers and fishers, to pursue studies and professional career in agriculture or venture into agripreneurship. This is in partnership with local government units and different state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country.
Starting this year, the program will provide subsidy for tertiary education of youth scholars for the completion of their chosen four- or five-year degree course in agriculture and fisheries, agricultural engineering, forestry and natural resources, and other related fields. It aims to produce agricultural professionals and a new breed of farmers equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitude in putting up agribusiness projects.
The program is open to children of farmers and fishers with annual gross income of not more than Php100,000. They must be 30 years old or below at the time of application and a high school graduate willing to pursue a college degree in agriculture or related courses.
Upon passing the entrance or qualifying examination prescribed by the SUC, the applicants would also need to pass the exams and interview to be conducted by the ATI-RTC. Interested individuals should be physically and mentally fit, not involved in any criminal or administrative cases, and not a delinquent beneficiary of any previous scholarship programs of the Institute.
A total of 160 slots will be opened for those whose chosen degree courses are on agriculture, fisheries, and other fields and 63 slots for scholars with agricultural and biosystems engineering courses nationwide.
In the official implementing guidelines for the program, the Institute underscored that through this latest scholarship offering, it hopes to address “the need for agricultural professionals who will work together to ensure the future of farming in the country to achieve sustainability and food security.”
The deadline for the screening and selection of applicants will be based on the examination period of the different SUCs. For the list of documentary requirements and other information about the program, interested individuals may visit the website of the respective ATI RTCs.