Starting them young: DA to award outstanding youth farmers, agri-entrepreneurs

Starting them young: DA to award outstanding youth farmers, agri-entrepreneurs The Department of Agriculture through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) is set to host the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Kick-Off, National Awarding Ceremony 2023, and Business Development Services on June 6, 2024, at the Rice Biotechnology Center (CBC), PhilRice, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The event is the culmination of a ladderized competition from the provincial to the national level. A total of thirty-three (33) YFC Start-Up Finalists and sixteen (16) YFC Upscale Finalists will compete for the Top 12 in Start-Up Category and Top 5 in the Upscale Category, showcasing their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. The national finalists will also be joined by the YFC Provincial and Regional winners.

The ceremony will be graced by Senator Imee R. Marcos, who will deliver the Keynote Address, along with DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., other DA Officials, local chief executives with YFC participants, and representatives from the private sector.

For this year, the YFC program included new components like the Start-Up Category, Upscale Category, and Intercollegiate Category, to help and encourage more youth and students taking up agriculture-related courses to venture into agriculture and agribusiness.

In recognition of their outstanding innovation and achievements, the National Awardees for the Start-Up Category will be awarded an additional capital grant of Php 300,000.00 to further develop and expand their enterprise. For the Upscale Category, an additional capitalization of Php 500,000.00 will be granted to improve and enhance their operations to foster an even greater impact on the agricultural landscape. Aside from the awarding ceremony, the DA-AMAS will also organize a product showcase for the YFC awardees and conduct a Business Innovation Study in coordination with PhilRice, Philippine Carabao Center, PhilMech, and Central Luzon State University.

“The YFC awardees have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable farming practices, technological innovation, and community engagement. Their unwavering passion for agriculture and commitment to