BY KEISHA PEARL LABRADA AND JESSIE MAE APLAON/DSSC INTERNS
THE YOUNG Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be giving up to a P500,000 competitive grant to winners of different categories for this year’s competition.
The YFC Program encourages young farmers aged 18-30 years old to compete and help implement agri-enterprise projects to promote production and agriculture.
For the Start-Up Category, whether individual or grouped, winners will receive P80,000, while P300,000 and P150,000 away winners in the Regional and National Level categories.
For the Up-scale Category, regional winners will receive P300,000 and P500,000 for national winners.
These grants will be then used to purchase raw materials needed for the production of the winning agri-enterprise to further establish their innovations into business according to Dr. Melinda Rubellano, DA-XI Regional Young Farmers Challenge Program focal person during the Agribiz Media Forum on Tuesday, July 23.
“As young farmers, we are not here just to generate capital or own income but also to extend help to our Farmers like for me, in production, I help the other farmers also to have their own income sa pagpalit nakog kalabasa sa ilaha,” said Andrea Rose Reyno, Calabaza Deli owner and National Awardee 2023 (Start Up Category).
Reyno ventured into calabaza chips, flour, and ketchup even without any background in processing. Her motivation was to help farmers dispose of their goods rather than allow their harvest to rot for lack of buyers.
“When you identify a project, it should reach a point na naa kay problema na masulbad,” Rubellano added.
DA partnered with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges SPAMAST-Malita, University of Southeastern Philippines-Mabini, Davao del Norte State College, Davao de Oro State College, and Davao del Sur State College for participating institutions where the winner can receive a P250,000 grant.
