|
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Kalinga farmer trained in Japan
"MANY are called but few are chosen," said Ryan Palugao, a young 4-H club member of the Dangtalan 4-H Club of Pasil, who arrived from Japan after attending the 10-month intensive on-farm training on crops, fisheries and livestock production from Apr. 22, 2005 to Feb. 24, 2006.
The 4-H Club is an organization composed of youth engaged in agricultural activities organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in coordination with local government units (LGUs).
Palugao's statement is based on the fact that every 4-H'er aspires to avail of the privilege of an overseas training. However, the criteria and qualification set by the sponsoring agencies is so stringent, hence chances for applicants is so slim.
Nominated by the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) of Pasil and endorsed by the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC), Palugao marched to the regional selection and emerged victorious. He and a fellow 4-H'er from Abra were the only nominees of the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council Cordillera Administrative Region (RAFC-CAR) to the national search.
A national selection and screening process was again conducted by the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC) based in Manila. "I did not expect to be selected that's why I was almost shocked when I was informed that I was in the national quest," the young farmer said.
Prior to his departure to Japan, Palugao was required to complete a 60-day home stay pre-departure training, which includes value formation and leadership training, physical fitness course, formal Nipongo language course, Philippine music, arts and culture, farm mechanization and technology exchange.
Palugao's training program in Japan is a commitment of the Japanese Government to young farmers from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China and the Philippines who have the potential to be key farmer-leaders.
In the Philippines, the program is sponsored by the Japanese Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC); Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (JMAFF); International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA); JAEC Alumni Association of the Philippines, and NAFC. It aims to provide young farmers with modern farming experiences, opportunities for an exchange of agricultural information of mutual interest among the participants, farm machinery, cooperative management and foster understanding and goodwill among Asian nations.
Palugao, who is the seventh 4-H'er to be trained in Japan, has this message to his fellow 4-H'ers: "It is part of my core belief that every human being has his own particular talent and an in-born desire to be better, to do better and to make the lives of others better. Each individual nurtures a hope for a better tomorrow, not only for himself but also for his family and the community where he lives. This ability to hope and look beyond today differentiated us from any other creation on earth. It is in this hope for a better tomorrow that wakes us up early morning with enthusiasm and energy to work and improve our quality of lives. These, we continue to do amidst the many changes and challenges confronting us day by day. Truly, we live today in an environment of enormous change and challenge."
He also expressed his gratitude to the Agriculture and Fishery Council (AFC). (PR)
(March 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
