P250,000 given to winning yKalinga Youth Agripreneurs

Tabuk City, Kalinga- As a way to elevate awareness and improve the involvement of youth in agriculture entrepreneurship, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-CAR has awarded three Project Proposals in the venture towards Agricultural Entrepreneurship (Agriprenuership) through the “Kabataang Agribiz Grant Assistance Program” on July 28, 2021, at Golden Berries Hotel.

In said event, seven aspiring young Agripreneurs in the province took part and presented their Business Model Canvass for the board of judges who came from the Academe, local government unit and Private Agripreneurs.

The Best Business Model Canvass was awarded to Karl Denver Oyando who garnered the 1st place with Duck Farming: Utilizing Variations of harvested products up to its full potential and marketing down to its cheapest price.

Second place was awarded to Harvey Atas for his Organic Grape Farming, while the Third place went to the group of Katherine Benatice, Mr. Christian Dogohoy and Mr. Brandon Compas for their Mushromystique Vive project.

The winners will be given P50,000 each. The cash will be used in the implementation of their projects as they are expected to compete for the Regional level.

The Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS), through a Facebook post, explained that the main objective of this program is to encourage and motivate the young Filipinos to go back into farming by ensuring assistance every step of the way.

Said program also hopes to inspire existing young farmers to be innovative and connect and use the new technologies for their on-going projects.

Meanwhile, winner Karl Oyando asked his fellow yKalinga youth to put an end to the notion that agricultural venture is merely for the poor because, with the program, he learned that there are great opportunities found in farming, especially when you are into Agribusiness.

“As far as I know, kami ang first batch dito sa Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program ng DA, na kung kaya ko ay kaya din nila. Kailangan lang ng passion, hard work and engaged yourself deeper in continuous learning” Oyando said.

Kabataang Agribiz Grant Assistance Program

The Young Farmers Challenge Fund (YFCF) - Kabataang Agribiz Grant Assistance Program was launched last April of 2021. It is a competitive grant assistance program to provide the young Filipinos a financial aid to support them in establishing enterprises focused on crop and livestock production, fisheries, trading, processing, integrated farming, agricultural technology and similar endeavours.

It was developed through the leadership of Agriculture Secretary William Dar with the support of Senator Imee Marcos.

According to the secretary, the program was put up to lead back the youth to agriculture and engage them in activities and processes related to farming and fishing.

The requirements and program criteria must strictly be fulfilled to proceed with the program.

Kalinga Youth joins Agricultural Program by the DA

The program is open for those aged 18-30 years old that are ready with their project proposal on agriculture that has great potential to earn profit and help the industry.

The out-of-school youth with agricultural formal or informal experience are welcome to join the program.

Here are other criteria for applicants:

· For groups, all members must pass the eligibility criteria and must execute a written agreement (Declaration of Intent) that they are working as a group

• Maximum of five members only

Meanwhile, those who are not allowed to join the financial grant assistance program are the following:

• Employees of DA, Regional Field Offices, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations including their relatives up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

• Previous recipients of assistance or awards in cash or in-kind amounting to P50,000 above from DA, Regional Field Offices, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations

The applicants must submit application requirements; clear copy of valid ID, proof of documents experiences related to Agriculture and the Business Model Canvass.

A seminar set nationwide will teach the applicants in creating a Business Model Canvass after filling up the registration form sent by the DA. The applicants who chose to create and present their canvass will be evaluated and awarded.

The Kabataang Agribiz Grant Assistance Program ends on July 31, 2021.

Program Competition Levels and Prize

As per Memorandum Circular No. 04 series 2021, the competition is in three stages, namely; Provincial, Regional and National Level.

Meanwhile, the cash awards to be received by the chosen youth per stages of the financial grant competition are:

• Provincial – P50,000 per enterprise (1,300 winners Nationwide)

• Regional – P150,000 per enterprise (3 winners per Region)

• National – P300,000 per enterprise (6 winners Nationwide)

Entrepreneur attitude, Innovativeness, Revenue stream of the business proposal and Value addition will be considered on the evaluation in choosing the winners.

The program mechanics was approved and adopted by the National Panel of Judges during their meeting held last July 1, 2021.

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