DA names young farmers challenge national winners

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reaffirmed its push to attract young Filipinos into agribusiness by naming the top winners of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Season 5 during awarding ceremonies at the Iloilo Convention Center on Thursday, April 23.

The national finals gathered young agripreneurs from 16 regions for a weeklong series of activities, including a pitching competition, business conference, and awarding ceremony.

Agriculture Undersecretary Cherryl Marie Caballero said the initiative was created to encourage more young Filipinos to enter agribusiness and help develop the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.

“We thought of a way to encourage the young generation into agriculture, so we have this YFC. It serves as a platform to attract and engage them,” Caballero said.

She added that the program provides structural support for aspiring agripreneurs while promoting a culture of innovation among the youth.

“These kids dreamed of winning the Young Farmers Challenge because there is a prize. But beyond the prize is the attitude that we have harnessed,” she said.

Caballero said the program aims to build confidence, entrepreneurial skills, and long-term interest in farming and agribusiness among young Filipinos.

This year’s national finals featured 64 finalists nationwide, including 35 entries in the Start-Up category, 15 in the Upscale category, and 14 teams in the Intercollegiate category representing state and local universities.

Participants competed in a pitching contest where they presented business models focused on food production, processing, digital agriculture, and farm innovation.

In the Upscale component, Banahaw Creations of CALABARZON emerged as champion, followed by Kuya Jordz Aqua-Green Integrated Farm of Region II and Sikap Coffee Enterprise of Region XII.

Anita’s Juice Corner of Region VI placed fourth, while SirJuanAgriventure Poultry and Agricultural Supply of Region III finished fifth.

In the Intercollegiate component, SQOODLES of CALABARZON took first place, followed by FRS Bignay Bliss of MIMAROPA and Zesty Natural of Region V.

Under the Food Processing category, Snappie of Region XIII won first place, followed by ESG Tomato Tweest Fruit Strips of Region II and Banana-Kingdom Food Products of Region VI.

Phytosphere Agro-biotech Processing Enterprise of Region XI topped the Non-Food category, followed by K&L EcoFeed of Region VI and Palatak Palay Seeder Rental & Farm Goods of MIMAROPA.

In the Production category, Imperanza Fish Production of MIMAROPA secured first place, followed by EJL Silage Products and Ruminant Production of Region II and Purple Roots of Region VIII.

Agribnv of Region VI won the Digital Agriculture category, while Hybrid-Powered Incubator of Region XII placed second.

Special recognition awards were also given, including the Agriculture Technology Development Award for Hybrid-Powered Incubator, Excellence in Product Packaging and Labeling Award for Meatless Food Store, Young Regenerative Agriculture Award for K&L EcoFeed, Indigenous Innovation Award for Golden Goat Ranch, and Social Innovation Award for Imperanza Fish Production.

Winning finalists received grant assistance of PHP 300,000 for the Start-Up category, while winners in the Upscale and Intercollegiate categories received PHP 500,000 each.

Special recognition awardees received PHP 50,000 each.

Now in its fifth year, the YFC remains one of the DA’s flagship programs aimed at making agriculture more attractive, innovative, and sustainable for the next generation.