Three groups of farmers and agripreneurs from the National Capital Region (NCR) have received a stat-up capital for their agribusiness venture proposals as part of their reward for winning the Young Farmers Challenge Regional Level Award.
The winners were picked among the 40 young Filipinos who submitted business proposals to the Department of Agriculture through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS).
Those who received the certificates and cash grants are Anna Beatrice Suavengco, Jerome Sambilon, Aisha Cruz, John Eric Aggarao, and Beatrice Xzandrine Roces of City-FarmTM from Taguig City; Vernie Beo and Camille De Peralta of Vermille`s Munting Bukid Hydroponics and Organic Farm Learning Center from Taguig City; and Eldrin Lee and Skyrene Bacalso of Nama Microgreens from Manila.
DA Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Evangelista and DA-AMAS Director Ramon Yedra presented the award and cash during the awarding ceremony on Monday, Dec. 13.
Certificates of recognition were also given to Young Farmers Challenge qualifiers Hannah Mae Castro of Agrivino Fruit Wine Making Governor’s Plum Wine from Manila, and Marigold Sibulo and Patrick Gregory Tecson of FRESH START from Quezon City.
Also called the Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program, the Young Farmers Challenge led by DA Secretary William Dar and supported by Sen. Imee Marcos, aims to encourage the youth to engage in profitable and sustainable agri-fishery enterprises by providing them access to resources and opportunities.
“Ang tagumpay na inyong na inyong nakamtan ay tagumpay din po ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka (Your success is also the success of the Department of Agriculture). It is our utmost desire to encourage more youth to participate in the development of the agriculture sector,” Dar said in a video speech.
The national level winners of the Young Farmers Challenge will be revealed on Dec.17 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.