The Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), in partnership with the Office of Senator Grace Poe, expands its program for young farmers and fishers through the launching of the “Binhi ng Pag-asa Program (BPP)” on June 07, 2022.

The BPP, which kicked-off in 2017 aims to empower young people to become competent agripreneurs and agricultural leaders.

“We have always believed that the youth are the leaders and drivers of the future. It is the youth — ordinary young men and women, determined to forge their own future — who throughout history have sparked all the great change and progress in the country,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.

In his message, Dar stressed that the BPP will help address current challenges and threat to the national food security.

“Youthful energy builds our economy and holds our leaders accountable for welfare program. They are the reason we can gather here today as public servants,” Dar said.

Since 2017, the BPP has been implemented in 15 provinces all over the country.

This year, the program will stretch its reach to more than 3,700 young farmers and fishers from eight priority provinces including Bataan, Tarlac, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Iloilo, Zamboanga Sibugay, and North Cotabato.

Under BPP, beneficiaries will be provided with agricultural starter kits, modules and capacity-building activities.

“I congratulate our youth representatives for their commitment and active participation in the Binhi Program. I look forward to helping expand your horizons in the sector in the months and years ahead,” Dar said. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)