NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR — The Department of Agriculture awarded a total of P4.12 million-worth of financial grants to 47 young agripreneurs who won the 2024 Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Start-Up, Intercollegiate, and Upscale competition. The awarding ceremony was held in Naga City, this province on April 29, 2025.
DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Supervising Agriculturist Ludivina B. Rueda, DA Bicol OIC-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Engr. Luisito R. Baltazar, DA Bicol YFC Alternate Focal Person Patrocinio B. Collao I, and cross-posted AMAD Chief and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) Chief Lovella P. Guarin led the awarding ceremony for the 24 YFC Start-Up provincial awardees, seven YFC Start-Up regional awardees, one intercollegiate awardee, and top three YFC Upscale regional awardees.
Seven of the YFC Start-Up provincial awardees were from the Province of Albay; six were from Camarines Norte; four were from Camarines Sur; two were from Sorsogon; two were from Catanduanes; and three were from Masbate. Each of them received a financial grant worth P80,000 to serve as their start-up capital for their individual or group-managed agri-fishery ventures. On the other hand, the seven YFC Start-Up regional winners received P150,000 each.
Meanwhile, the Batuan Food Enterprise, owned by students Rina O. Frac, Diana S. Madulid, Julie Ann Moroña, and Jerom P. Febrero of Sorsogon State University-Bulan Campus aced the 2024 YFC Challenge Intercollegiate competition. They received a financial grant worth P250,000 as start-up capital to support their business operations and product development. They will also represent the Bicol region at the national level as student-agripreneurs in June 2025, where they will compete for an additional capital of P500,000.
Moreover, Roberto N. Diesta’s Diesta Meliponiculture Apiary in Guinobatan, Albay got 3rd place, Robert James T. Manansala’s RJM Ornamental Fish Culture in Daet, Camarines Norte bagged 2nd place, while Marione Calveen G. Gueta, owner of Layuan Nature Integrated Farm in Bulan, Sorsogon, won first place in the YFC Upscale competition. The YFC Upscale top three regional awardees received a financial grant worth P300,000. Gueta will advance to the national competition to get an opportunity to secure an additional capital worth P500,000.
In a video message, DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said that the awarding ceremony is a celebration of the young farmers’ innovative ideas, hard work, and determination. She underscored that the YFC is more than just receiving financial grants but an advocacy to embrace the agri-fishery sector. She also expressed her deepest appreciation for the young farmers’ efforts and deep commitment to sustainable agriculture in the future.
“To our 47 young farmer awardees, you represent the future of farming in Bicol region. Naniniwala ako na taglay ninyo ang dugo ng pagiging “oragon” — mga kabataang Bicolano na matapang, palaban, at may prinsipyo. Dahil dyan, itinuturing namin kayo na mga bagong mukha ng modernong pagsasaka,” she said.
Rueda relayed AMAS Director Junibert E. De Sagun’s message for the YFC awardees saying “You have truly proven that you are the future of the Philippine agriculture sector. Your dedication, hardwork, and commitment to being partners of the Department are highly commendable. Through your efforts, you contribute significantly to ensuring accessible and affordable food for every Filipino… The grant you have received are not just financial aid. It is a trust given to you by the Filipino people. Use it wisely, responsibly, ensuring that it benefits not only yourselves but also your communities and the future of the Philippine agriculture.”
ASec. Guevarra and De Sagun also assured the young farmer awardees of the DA AMAS and AMAD’s commitment to help them sustain and grow their business.
DA Bicol OIC AMAD Chief Engr. Luisito R. Baltazar commended the young agripreneurs for their passion to contribute to the development of the country’s agri-fishery sector. He also encouraged them to seize the opportunity to build strong networks, since this would help them expand their enterprises in the future.
Rowena Mallores, AMAS Market Specialist II and Dolly Anne Marcos, AMAS Market Specialist I also attended the event. Cheryl O. Rebeta, Albay Provincial Agriculturist, Engr. Almirante A. Abad, Camarines Norte Provincial Agriculturist, as well as YFC coordinators Engr. Daphne Indira M. Segubiense of Albay, Dulce D. Doriman of Camarines Norte, and Jennifer Marinda of Sorsogon joined the provincial and regional winners. Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, President of Sorsogon State University, accompanied the intercollegiate awardees.
The YFC started in 2021 to encourage the youth to engage in agri-fishery enterprises and contribute as active partners in promoting food security and agricultural development. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V with reports from Keinth Dominic Dayto and Julie Ann P. Santos, DA AMAD V)