KUKUHA ng 900 fresh graduate ang Department of Agriculture upang gawing implementers ng mga agricultural programs sa bawat distrito.
Ayon kay Agriculture Secretary William Dar gagatos ang ahensya ng P100 milyon para mabigyan ng magandang allowance ang kanilang mga kukuning on-the-job trainees.
“We need young blood in agriculture. They have the defining attributes when it comes to utilizing modern agriculture. They are well connected through electronic devices that can help modernize farming and fishing activities,” ani Dar sa isang pahayag.
Tatagal umano ng anim na buwan ang OJT at pagkatapos nito ay hihikayatin sila na magtrabaho sa congressional district ng DA-Agricultural Program Coordinating Offices (APCOs).
Ang bawat probinsya ay may DA-APCO na siyang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan para sa implementasyon ng mga programa na may kaugnayan sa pagtatanim ng palay, mais at iba pang high value products, livestock at poultry.
“Under the mentorship of APCOs, the millennial OJTs will also serve as ‘infomediaries’ or information providers of various DA programs to farmers and ruralfolk using information and communication technologies (ICTs). Eventually, when their OJT stint is over we will ask them to develop their respective agri-fishery business plan to be pursued as a project in their own localities,” paliwanag ni Dar.
Sinabi ni Dar na hindi pababayaan ang mga beterano na sa pagpasok ng mga millennials. “The youth maybe ICT-savvy but, they still need the elders to pass their time-tested wisdom and experience in farming. That is why mentorship is also crucial in this endeavor.”