Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar signed two Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) on the implementation of the National Greening Program dubbed as the “TREEwardship Project”.

On January 28, Dar signed the MOA, with the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) and the Siquijor State College (SSC) to enjoin their students to engage in the production of fruit-bearing trees in their respective homes. The agreement also seeks to promote agriculture and entrepreneurship among students.

“Kung hindi natin hihikayatin ang mga kabataan ngayon, who will produce the food that we will need for the next 10 to 30 years time,” Dar said.

On top of the programs, the two academic institutions will receive additional P7 million each for their respective agri-entrepreneurship programs and P3 million for the massive seedling production program in Central Visayas.

Dar also presented three projects under the Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Program of the department, which has total funding of P2.5 billion.

These include the Agri-Business Incubation initiative that will provide P500,000 grant to young Filipinos who have the heart and passion for farming, and have ideas or agribusiness proposals; Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs which will provide up to P500,000 loan assistance at zero interest and payable in 5 years; and the Agrinegosyo credit program which can loan a minimum of P300,000 to a maximum of P15 million to young agripreneurs who may want to expand their agricultural enterprise.

Dar said the final Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the programs would soon be released as the programs are set to kick-off by early February.

“Hinihikayat nating bumalik sa kanayunan ang mga kabataan para magtanim at mag-negosyo,” Dar said.

The Secretary added that the Department will not only mentor and train the youth on farming but will push for the actual implementation of their training through the execution of agribusiness projects. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)