The Department of Agriculture (DA) is extending its agri-business programs to the youth sector to encourage participation of 18 to 30 years-old individuals in industry.
The catch – a chance to explore, innovate, get mentored, and win a cash prize worth up to P500,000.
DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said “Kabataang Agribiz,” a young farmers challenge, is one of their advocacies in agri-business and marketing that pushes the younger generation to learn more and contribute to the industry.
“We are looking for fresh ideas. You know when you’re 18 to 30 years-old, ito ‘yung pagkakataon na to explore, to innovate, and even make mistakes for that matter,” Evangelista said, noting that the program is also especially made for those from the vulnerable sectors.
“Kaya namin kayong gabayan. We can help you tweak your idea based on the business proposal na ibibigay niyo samin. We can also give you inputs through mentoring,” she added.
Participants of the program must be 18 to 30 years-old, out-of-school youth or currently studying, and are Filipino citizens.
“Marami kasing pwedeng gawin sa agriculture, that’s why we want them to be able to see ‘yung different, various possibilities pagdating sa agriculture,” she said.
Cash prize
Participants will be given P50,000 pesos if they will be included in the 1,300 winners who will qualify for the provincial level of the program.
“Mayroon kaming premyo na cash na ‘yun mismo ang magiging pang-umpisa ng kanilang agri-business. ‘Yung mga nanalo sa ating provincial level, they move on to the regional level,” Evangelista said.
The 45 regional level winners will be granted P150,000, and will then advance to the national level.
The national level will have six winners who will be given P300,000 each.
“If you compute hanggang sa national, bale ang pinanalunan mo is P500,000 pesos,” the official said.
Good biz
The DA is urging the youth to stimulate the industry by sharing their fresh ideas, while giving assurance that the government will provide assistance to jump start their agri-business.
“It’s one of the industries that actually survived. When everything else was closed, agriculture was still in business. We are taking the risk with the youth. That is how much we believe para [bigyang] puhunan ang kanilang negosyo,” she said.
“Agriculture is also for the young. Definitely, agriculture is not just about planting, it’s also about business. Sabi ko nga, agri-business is good business,” she added. (DA, PTV)/AG-rir
