The Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) and College of Fisheries and (CF) together with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) organized a virtual training for young Filipino farmers registered in the internship program for Taiwan last July 11-14, 2022. Participants hailed from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, representing the 12 regions of the Philippines.
FAC and CF experts provided technical expertise and management capability for the empowerment of the Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program (FYFIP) participants in the online Training on “Basic Aquaculture” as part of their Pre-Departure Orientation Course (PDOC) activities.
Prof. Janet O. Saturno, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Mr. Eddie Boy T. Jimenez, Mr. Jhon Christian S. Suyom, Dr. Karl Marx A. Quiazon Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo, Mr. Jemuel S. Doctolero, Dr. Alvin T. Reyes and Dr. Hazel Monica M. Peralta presented modules on Brief Introduction about Basic Aquaculture (Freshwater & Brackishwater), Tilapia Broodstock Management, Tilapia Hapa-based Fingerling Production, Tilapia Pond-based Fingerling Production, Tilapia Sex Reversal & Fish Health Management, Tilapia Grow-out, Feeds and Feeding, Sustainable Brackishwater Aquaculture and Mariculture, and Water Quality Management, respectively.
A few days after the training, 48 out of 52 participants were dispatched to 33 host farms in Taipei, Taiwan as stated on DA-ATI’s Facebook page on August 15, 2022.
This internship program is anchored on the thrusts of the DA under the OneDA Reform Agenda – “Youth and Women Engagement,” which provides intervention for the youth to engage in agriculture and become entrepreneurs. Through the FYFIP, young Filipino farmers will be exposed to modern Taiwanese farming which will mold them to become empowered farmer leaders and agricultural entrepreneurs.