Agricultural Scholarships Offered in the  Philippines

Fact: the Philippines is an agricultural country.

Having a million hectares of agricultural land area, more than 90% of these are used for crops like coconut, sugarcane, industrial crops, and vegetables among others that account to a large percentage in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Realizing the importance of education as part of strengthening the nation’s economy, government agencies and other organizations are providing various programs to help students in pursuing their studies in the field of agriculture.

If you are interested to pursue a career in this field, here are some of the agricultural scholarships offered in the Philippines worth checking out:

 

1. Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program (FPASP)

FPASP aims not only to aid students who want to study agriculture and fisheries but also to develop future leaders that can promote a better understanding between the Philippines and the United States through their profession. Research proposals from all the agriculture subfields (horticulture, pest control, animal nutrition, fruit and vegetable production, plant genetics), agricultural engineering, natural resources and forestry, veterinary medicine, and fisheries are accepted. The scholarship is open for Filipino citizens only (dual citizenship and permanent US residency are not allowed).

 

2. Youth in Agriculture and Fisheries Program (YAFP)

This program was designed to expand the existing programs of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC). The scholarship is for the deserving children of smallholder farmers. It provides tuition fees up to Php 25,000, Php 3,000/year for book allowance, Php 9,000 research allowance, Php 2,500/month transportation allowance, and up to Php 3,000 graduation fee. Students who have to study outside their region are given a one-time relocation allowance of Php 10,000 and one time round-trip fare to be given at the start and end of the scholarship period.

 

3. Expanded Human Resource Development Program (EHRDP)

The Expanded Human Resource Development Program is a continuing education scholarship provided for Department of Agriculture’s (DA) staff, giving them a chance to further their knowledge and enroll in state colleges and universities approved by the ATI Capability Building Committee. Permanent employees of DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the other hand can apply to the Master in Public Management major in Rural Development (MPM-RD) program. MPM-RD is an 18-month scholarship program intended to produce equipped managers that can handle the dynamics in the rural development sector.

 

4. Gawad Patnubay Scholarship Program

Committed to sustaining country development, Land Bank of the Philippines offers LANDBANK Gawad Patnubay (Gawad Pag-aaral Tungo sa Maunlad na Bayan) Scholarship program. The scholarship is an education-to-employment initiative for underprivileged students in the agriculture and fisheries field. Scholars are entitled to 100% tuition fee subsidy, monthly allowance, book allowance, thesis funding, board examination fee subsidy and a 10-week Education-to-Employment (E2E) Internship Program (Inclusive of airfare, accommodation, food, and stipend). Moreover, students who will graduate with honors will receive Php 30-50,000 cash incentive. The program is open to agriculture students enrolled in their 17 partner state colleges and universities located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

 

5. Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF)

ACEF program is dedicated to the children of farmers and fisherfolks. Students under this scholarship will avail tuition and miscellaneous fees aid and will receive Php 10,000 monthly stipend as well as Php 5,000 thesis writing allowance. The scholarship covers the entire duration of the course from first to fourth year. Students, on the other hand, must pass all enrolled subjects in each semester, with no failing grades, and maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) not lower than 3.0. After they graduate, scholars under ACEF will be prioritized for employment in DA and its attached agencies.

 

6. SEARCA Graduate Study Program

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) grants financial aids open to nationals of SEAMO member countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam) who are pursuing masters and doctoral degrees in forestry, agriculture, and other related fields. School fees, travel allowance (e.x round trip air ticket from home country to study post, and local transportation), book and supplies allowance, thesis/dissertation support, health insurance; and other benefits will be awarded to successful applicants.

 

7. Youth Empowerment through a Sustainable Program

The Agricultural Training Institute in partnership with the Foundations for People Development, Inc. – Molding Future Innovations (FPD-MFI) offers a two-year scholarship to members of 4-H clubs throughout the country, specifically the out-of-school youth (OSY) and high school graduates. It aims to equip them with the relevant knowledge and skills in agriculture and entrepreneurship technology. Another program intended for the OSY is the Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in Japan (YFFTPJ) that provides technical knowledge and skills in agricultural and cooperative management while promoting the Japanese culture, work, and values. YFFTPJ is open for the sons of farmers with two years of experience in farming.

 

Interested to know more about scholarship opportunities? Visit Edukasyon.ph’s Scholarships page and browse through an extensive database of scholarships from schools, foundations, and government agencies that could be the right one for you!