THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), has recognized the 35 finalists for the 2022 National Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) and awarded a P300,000 cash grant to each of the top 12 outstanding agribusiness models.

The awardees were evaluated in terms of their entrepreneurial attributes, innovativeness of business proposal, potential for generating revenue stream, value addition and social responsibility.

The 2nd National Young Farmers Summit and Awarding Ceremony was held in Ilocos Norte with the theme, “Mag– Agri Tayo! Ang makabagong ideya at pamamaraan ng Kabataang Magsasaka ang susi tungo sa pagpapaunlad ng pambansang agrikultura.”

DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs Kristine Evangelista, Ilocos Regional Field Office Director Annie Bares, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc, and Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos led the awarding ceremony.

“I know that the youth can initiate change in agriculture,” Panganiban said in Filipino.

He added that the DA’s YFC Program in partnership with the Office of Senator Marcos is a good example of a government program that understands the youth, their needs, and their important role for the country’s development. Thus, the DA will continue implementing the program.

“The YFC will serve as an inspiration to the Filipino youth to become entrepreneurs in agriculture utilizing modern equipment and digital technology to increase yield and income,” Senator Marcos said in Filipino in a message read by Assistant Secretary Evangelista.

The following are the top 12 outstanding youth agribusiness models:

Production Category:

– Frugies de Locale (Cordillera Administrative Region)

– Am-Iyoung’s Yuyu Farm (CAR)

– Ali-lapia (Region 6)

– Grace Hills Vineyard and Vegetable Farm (Region 11)

– Abanse: NPK (Region 6)

– Solar-Powered Urban Fishery–High Density Production Module (CAR)

Processing Category:

– Green Banana Flour: The Next Superfood (Region 12)

– Nutripage Food Products (Region 4)

Digital Agriculture Category:

– Icarus Agri-Tech (Region 6)

– Airin Innovations (Region 2)

Supply Chain Business Solution Category:

– Taboan Agricultural Products Trading (Region 8)

– Anita’s (Region 6)

Through the YFC Program, the DA also offers business development services assistance to the youth including training programs and assistance in business and product registration and certification, mentoring assistance, market linking and business networking, and monitoring and enterprise assessment.