Young Filipino Farmers Training Program In Japan

Interested applicants are invited to apply for training under the Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in Japan. This program is the Philippines’ version or counterpart of the ASEAN Young Farmer Leaders Training Program in Japan – a commitment of the Japanese Government to young farmers in the ASEAN region who have the potential to become key farmer leaders. The selection process is now open for young Filipino farmers to study recommended farm and home management technologies and practices in Japan.
As one current and on-going thrust of the Department of Agriculture (DA), it provides support to young Filipino farmers. DA will ensure the sustainability of Philippine agriculture though the continued infusion and training of young farmers and farm leaders to carry on the tasks of making agricultural lands productive and ensure food security for the country.
For the past years, the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC), in collaboration with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEF), and the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), have implemented the Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in Japan (YFFTPJ). A parallel program has also been pursued under the International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA) that started in 2001. Since then, 360 young farmers have availed of the YFFTPJ.
The program is composed of four phases, namely:
1. HOME STAY – a 60-day training module under the guidance of the JAECAAP members focus on farm activities, visits to other farms and agricultural institutions, conversational Nihongo and physical fitness.
2. PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION COURSE – a 75-day training composed of various subject matters, which include among others, lectures on Values Formation and Leadership Training, Farm Business Planning, Physical Fitness Course, Formal Nihongo Language Course, Farm Mechanization, Philippine Music Arts and Culture, Basic Japanese Culture and Tradition, Educational Tours and Historical Sites Visit and Computer Literacy.
3. Training Proper in Japan which consists of 11 and 12 months on-farm training under Japanese host farmers of the JAEC and IAEA, respectively.
4. Post Training Program – a three-day training on volunteerism, People-Centered Development, and Orientation on AFC’s, Project Proposal Preparation, and Entrepreneurship.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS– nominees should meet the following criteria:
a. Young Filipino farmer who is an out of school youth;
b. Male, single, 20-28 years old, has no live-in partner and/or child;
c. High school graduate or college level (undergraduate);
d. Not presently employed in any job except farming;
e. Has a minimum of two (2) years continuous farming experience and has available farm and/or existing agri-based project/s.
f. Has no existing loans from the Department of Agriculture/LGU;
g. Of good community standing;
h. A good communicator, and can speak and understand English;
i. Has no physical deformities, tattoo nor pierced ears, nose, tongue and navel or on any part of the body; and
j. Willing to learn Nihongo.
Applicants believe that Agriculture, being the backboned of Philippine economy, plays an important role in the country’s economic development. However, no matter how much production and other support services are made available, if the human resource base of the agriculture sector keeps dwindling through the years, the future of Philippine agriculture would definitely remain uncertain.
The host farmer in Japan will pay the airfare and inland transportation from the Philippines to Japan and back to the Philippines; board and lodging; medical and life insurance and monthly allowance. The National Agriculture and Fishery Council will spend for the board and lodging, training fees, transportation expenses while attending the PDOC. The scholar will pay for documentation like passport and travel tax.
Those interested may contact Mr. Delano Tefora and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente of the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Capitol Site, Kalibo, Aklan. /MP