Fifth batch of young farmers off to Japan for 3-year agri exchange program

August 20, 2018 Community Billboard

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Twenty-nine more young farmers from the province are off to Japan next week for a three-year Young Farmers Exchange Program, the provincial agriculture office said.
Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) supervising agriculturist Delinia Juan, who is also the program coordinator, said the 29 technical intern trainees came  from the municipalities of Sablan, Tublay, Mankayan, Kapangan,  Buguias, Kabayan, Bokod, Bakun, Atok and this capital town.
The 29 brings to 104 the number of technical intern trainees who have so far availed the program this year.
Eva Mila Leti and Jonathan Santiago are among the 29-man group, the fifth batch to leave this year.
“I feel nervous but excited,” said the 24-year old Leti of Barangay Kamong, Sablan. Leti, a high school graduate is into growing of flowers.
Santiago, 24-year old from Barangay Buyacaoan, Buguias, also a high school graduate said, “It’s interesting and challenging.” He expects to learn new farming methods especially in greenhouse.
YFEP which was established in 1997 provide training opportunities for young men and women engaged in agriculture to help improve Benguet’s agriculture through exchanges in technology and farming methods.
Juan said the trainees are expected to bring a new level of expertise in their work to share with their fellow farmers in the province.
The program aims to foster exchanges with young farmers’ organization in the host country.
It is covered through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Benguet government with Kochi Tobu Agricultural Development Cooperative and Kuroshio Agricultural Development Cooperative in Kochi Prefecture. PRIMO AGATEP / ABN