By Rebecca G. Cadavos

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (9 October) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) here conducted an examination for young farmers to avail the one-year course training program in Japan, OPAG Agricultural Technologist Cristita Clava reported during a meeting with the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) members held here last week.

The yearly search for the Young Filipino Farmer's Training Program in Japan (YFFTPJ) is a commitment of the Government of Japan to young farmers in Indonesia , Thailand , Malaysia , China and here in the Philippines who have the potential to be key farmer leaders. The National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) conducts the Pre-Departure Orientation Course (PDOC) for the qualified applicants.

Criteria for the young farmers to qualify were presented by Clava. The search is open to all out of-school youths (OSYs) preferably boys, either college level or a high school graduate, full time farmer with at least two years of continuous farming, not employed in any government institution, physically and mentally fit, must have no tattoo and can pass the intellectual quotient (IQ) test conducted at the provincial level.

Clava further said that the qualified applicant will be brought to Tacloban City within this week to take the regional exam to be conducted by DA-regional office.

It was learned that the synchronized qualifying exam was conducted nationwide at all DA provincial offices last October 5 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Southern Leyte which identified (5) prospects, only one took the examination who came from Barangay Libhu, Maasin City . The 18 year old protégée will still be decided by their office if all the qualifications were met.