iKalinga Trio win P150K grant each, set to represent Cordillera in 2026 National Young Farmers Challenge

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Three young farmers from Kalinga are now preparing to compete at the national Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) after excelling at the regional level of the program’s Start-Up component.

Overview of the Young Farmers Challenge

Launched in 2021, YFC is a competitive financial grant program by the Department of Agriculture that aims to empower and inspire young farmers to create and implement agri-fishery enterprises, boosting agricultural productivity.

Participants aged 15 to 30 submit a Business Model Canvas detailing their proposed business concepts, which are evaluated based on innovation, sustainability, profitability, and social responsibility. Provincial winners receive ₱80,000 as seed capital, and standout proposals advance to the regional stage.

YFC Start-Up Cordillera Regional Winners

Provincial winners from across the Cordillera region gathered at the Old Conference Hall in Guisad, Baguio City, on February 13, 2026, to present their enterprises. Submissions were ranked on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and market viability.

Among the three Kalinga contenders in the production category, JD’s Hito Production by Joshua R. Dao-wan of Lay-asan, Tanudan, and Harvest and Hatch by Reymar P. Omeccas, also from Kalinga, emerged as regional winners. Dao-wan showcased his embutido made from ‘hito’ (catfish) from his own farm, while Omeccas featured chicken pastil and chicken jerky from his poultry business.

In the processing category, Ryan A. Rebolledo’s Beancharon, also from Kalinga, won among nine competitors with his white beans and chicharon products.

Joining the iKalinga trio is John Glenn B. Libag of Bo-oy Food Products from Benguet, who topped the processing category with his signature Lumawig edition wine, creatively blended from plant-based and upcycled ingredients.

The four regional winners were formally awarded on Friday, February 17, 2026, each receiving ₱150,000 in start-up capital. Those who advance to the Top 15 at the national stage will be eligible for an additional ₱300,000 financial grant.