W. Visayas agribiz proposals vie for national level Young Farmers Challenge

Seven agribusiness proposals from youth in Western Visayas will advance to the national-level competition of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2024 Start-Up Open Category this May.

Regional awardees in the Production, Processing (Non-Food), Processing (Food), and Digital Agriculture categories received certificates of recognition and financial grants of ₱150,000.00 each during the awarding ceremony held on April 29 in Iloilo City.

For the Production Category, Mar John Morales of CentLes Vineyard of San Dionisio, Iloilo, known for grapes, seedlings, and farm demo setups; Mike Angelo Fernandez of AgriMik’s Farm of Belison, Antique, producing quail eggs and “pastil”; and Christine Viola Gonzales of LV Cacao Farm of Lambunao, Iloilo, recognized for cacao products including tablea and grafted seedlings.

Roel Jay Caoyonan of Jeayel’s Agri-Products Manufacturing in Passi City, Iloilo, with his innovative “PintaChoco” banana chips, and Matt Noelle Hulleza of Veggie Bite Snack of San Jose, Antique, with his vegetable-based waffle cones and crackers, were the winners for the Processing—Food Category.

Meanwhile, Cedreyk Iguiron and Jenny Salmingo of Ecosheets of Buruanga, Aklan, who create eco-gift bags and envelopes from Paragis grass won the Processing – Non Food Category.

For the Digital Agriculture Category, a team from TUP-Visayas in Negros Occidental—Eric Joshua Castor, Melvin Mark Grandia, Heart Andreu Oquiana, Rhys Ryan Gimay, and John Arlu Magbanua—clinched the slot with their business model canvas Reel Time Tech, a fish farming monitoring system.

DA Western Visayas’ OIC-Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension, Maria Teresa Solis, said, “I hope your projects will not stop with this awarding. We envision the continuity of your projects. The purpose of YFC is to provide livelihood opportunities to young farmers like you and to encourage more youth to engage in agriculture and agribusiness.”

May Ann Grajo, OIC-Chief of the DA Western Visayas Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, affirmed the department’s continued support in helping the youth enhance their Business Model Canvas (BMC) for the upcoming national competition. She emphasized the importance of sustainability, saying, “If you are serious about it, there are many business development services that you can avail of.”

Engr. Anne Lisbo, Chief of the Agribusiness Investment Promotion Division of the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, underscored the roles of young agri-entrepreneurs in feeding the nation, caring for the environment, and boosting the economy. “We encourage you to see yourselves as new entrants in a competitive industry, where perseverance and purpose are key to avoiding wasted potential,” she said.

Alongside the regional awarding, YFC awardees participated in the mentoring and coaching sessions to better prepare for the national agribiz pitching. DA-AMAD also facilitated the finalization of BMCs and discussed the requirements for releasing regional financial grants to help awardees advance their respective agribusiness undertakings. ### Text by Sheila Mae Toreno & Photos by Khrysma Dei Caldina and Sheila Mae Toreno/DA-RAFIS 6