Agribusiness mentorship for the youth rejuvenates agri-fishery sector

In line with the vision of Agriculture Secretary William Dar of engaging the youth into agribusiness, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), launched its call for youth interns under the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness (MAYA) program on 9 February 2021 through its social media platform.

Part of the agriculture department’s vision of a food-secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk are its strategies of mobilizing and involving the youth in agri-fishery enterprises.

Funded under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or also known as the Bayanihan 2, the MAYA Program aims to develop committed and innovative agribusiness entrepreneurs. This will then make the younger generation to become the country’s future faces of agriculture and fisheries; hence, next frontliners.

It is a six-month internship program to be implemented from March to August 2021, and is open to all young aspiring Filipinos, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old.

Also part of the qualifications include being a graduate of any four-to-six-year college degree courses, preferably agriculture and fisheries-related. 

With the massive influx of applicants reaching to 3,703, the online application was immediately closed the following day. 

Out of the 2,613 qualified applicants during the pre-selection process conducted by the DA-BAR MAYA Program Secretariat, a total of 800 applicants will be hired as MAYA interns.

Accepted interns will then be assigned either under the Employment or Entrepreneurial Tracks, and will receive a financial allowance of Php 20,000 per month. 

Places of assignment include the DA national and regional offices, as well as partner private institutions, among others. 

At the end of their 24-week internship period, interns with exemplary performance could either be endorsed to pursue a career in the DA or any agri-related agency, or they may avail existing DA loan facilities and project grants to start or support their own agri-fishery business.