The Department of Agriculture through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) recognized three Metro Manila agripreneurs as regional winners of the “Young Farmers Challenge” during the awarding ceremony on December 13, 2021 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Hall. The winners were chosen out of the 40 young Filipinos who submitted their business.
The NCR-Regional Level winners 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.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Evangelista and DA-AMAS Director Ramon Yedra awarded the certificates and cheques amounting to P150,000 cash grants to the regional winners.
“Ang tagumpay na inyong nakamtan ay tagumpay din ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka. It is the outmost desire of DA to encourage more youth to participate in the development of agriculture sector. Sa mga darating na panahon, umasa kayo na patuloy ang inyong Kagawaran sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa upang tulungan ang ating mga kabataan na makapagsimula ng kani-kanilang agribusiness. To our regional awardees, I sincerely wish for your success and support you in your endeavors,” Secretary William Dar said in a video message.
Dar stressed that the Department believes in the power of youth in transforming Philippine agriculture, adding that DA has been formulating and implementing various programs to encourage younger Filipinos to venture into agriculture and agribusiness.
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos, one of the founders of the nationwide youth challenge, urged the youth not to lose hope in agriculture because there is money in farming. She stressed that the pandemic proved that food and medicine are important and should be given priority.
Evangelista said that all the winners are “living proof of concept” that farming can be profitable.
“For agriculture to be sustainable, kailangan may business side. Maybe that is where innovation comes in and that is where the young people will serve as an asset to the organization and to the agricultural industry per se,” she said.
“We are ready for the young blood, with your ideas, imagination and your energy. Sa lahat ng sumali sa ating Young Farmers Challenge, doon pa lamang winner na kayo and we have friends who took notice of what we’re doing and are very excited and willing to invest in your project. Hopefully, this will be something you will continue. Sana hindi matapos sa konsepto. Sana hindi matapos sa competition and eventually we can see you help your community. We believe in you,” she added.
Evangelista underscored that the DA will be behind every young agripreneur, believing in their vision, imagination, and ability to think out-of-the-box.
DA-AMAS also recognized Hannah Mae Castro of Agrivino Fruit Wine Making Governor’s Plum Wine and Marigold Sibulo and Patrick Gregory Tecson of FRESH START for their participation in the Regional Level Competition Qualifiers.
Through Kabataang Agribiz Program, the DA-AMAS will also provide online trainings on business permits and licenses, agricultural marketing, and basic accounting.
On December 17, the DA-AMAS will name the six winners of the National Level of the Young Farmers Challenge in Calasiao, Pangasinan. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
