DTI, DA train 47 young Western Visayas agripreneurs

ILOILO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture have brought together 47 aspiring young agripreneurs from across Western Visayas for their first joint program aimed at turning agricultural ideas into innovative, market-driven, and sustainable businesses.

The partnership seeks to help young Filipinos build viable agricultural enterprises that can create rural jobs, strengthen local economies, support food security, and make farming a more attractive career and business path.

The officially selected participants joined the four-day Young Aspiring Agripreneurs Bootcamp 2026 held July 21–24 at Westown Hotel in Iloilo City.

The initiative combines the DTI 6 Youth Entrepreneurship Program Agripreneurship Initiative with the DA 6 Young Farmers Challenge Program.

Throughout the boot camp, participants undergo intensive entrepreneurship training using the enhanced Youth Entrepreneurship Program You Can Be Your Own Boss curriculum.

The training follows three progressive learning tracks designed to guide participants from developing an entrepreneurial mindset to presenting an investment-ready business concept.

Track 1, Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset and Ideation, helps participants strengthen their entrepreneurial outlook and identify viable business opportunities.

Track 2, Developing the Business from Plans to Reality, guides participants in refining their business models, strategies, and implementation plans.

Track 3, Communicating Your Business Story, develops the participants’ pitching and presentation skills in preparation for competitions and engagements with potential investors.

Participants are scheduled to join a mock business pitch on the final day of the boot camp to test their presentations and receive feedback from mentors.

The exercise will prepare them for the official Young Farmers Challenge Pitching Competition to be conducted by the DA.

Following the Young Farmers Challenge evaluation process, 38 participants will be recognized as provincial awardees and advance to the competition’s next stage.

The collaboration combines the DTI’s expertise in entrepreneurship development with the DA’s agricultural enterprise support to provide participants with a more comprehensive learning experience.

The agencies said the program is designed to prepare young entrepreneurs to contribute to food security, rural development, and inclusive economic growth through sustainable agribusiness ventures.

DTI 6 Assistant Regional Director Romel L. Amihan, representing acting Regional Director Mutya D. Eusores, highlighted the benefits of linking the DTI’s youth entrepreneurship initiative with the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge.

Amihan said the collaboration empowers young Filipinos to innovate, add value to agricultural products, and establish sustainable enterprises that can promote food security and rural growth.

Rhea Cristina Resol, officer in charge of the DA 6 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, supported the partnership and challenged participants to transform their farming concepts into sustainable and competitive businesses.

The enhanced curriculum helps participants turn agricultural ideas into enterprises by strengthening their ability to identify market opportunities and develop customer-centered solutions.

It also provides training in managing business operations and using digital platforms to expand market reach and support business growth.

Mentoring, coaching, and access to government support programs are intended to help participants establish, operate, and expand their agribusiness ventures.

The initiative reflects the DTI and DA’s shared effort to position agriculture as a viable and rewarding business opportunity for younger Filipinos.

The agencies are focusing on innovation and value-added agriculture to generate employment in rural communities and strengthen local economic activity.

The Young Farmers Challenge, launched in 2021, has reached 4,892 young Filipinos nationwide, according to the DA.

The 2026 competition marks the program’s fifth year and continues to provide mentoring and competitive support for youth-led agricultural and fisheries enterprises.

Through the Youth Entrepreneurship Program and Young Farmers Challenge, the agencies envision developing a new generation of tech-savvy and market-ready agripreneurs.

The partnership encourages participants to move beyond basic farm production and develop sustainable, value-added, and competitive businesses.

The joint initiative underscores the agencies’ commitment to placing young Filipinos at the forefront of agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.