Young Mindanao entrepreneurs in crop farming, livestock raising, and the processing of agricultural products dominated the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) competition when awards were given out Thursday at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in the Science City of Muñoz, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
Conceived by Senator Imee Marcos and implemented by the Department of Agriculture since 2021, the annual nationwide competition aims to revive interest in agriculture among the youth, especially sons and daughters of farmers forced to make a choice between taking up a job in the city or pursuing their families’ livelihood amid the economic threat of cheaper food imports.
The average age of farmers is now 58 and the country’s self-sufficiency in achieving food security is dwindling, Marcos pointed out.
Half of the 12 winners in the Start-up category, who received PhP150,000 each, hail from the provinces of South Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City, Bukidnon, and Saranggani Province.
Two of the five winners in the Upscale category, who received PhP500,000 each, came from Davao del Sur and the City of Bayugan in Agusan del Sur.
Senator Marcos filed Senate Bill 180 to make the Young Farmers Challenge a permanent agricultural program funded annually by the government.
Young Farmers Challenge winners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao join Sen. Imee Marcos onstage.
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The YFC competition for 2024 has begun and is open to farmers and processors of agricultural products in the crop, livestock, and fishery sectors who are 18 to 30 years old.
The latest winners from Mindanao in the Start-up category include South Cotabato’s Edwin C. Gonzales Jr. of Coco Chill Processing for pasteurized coco sap juice; Davao de Oro’s Andrea Rose C. Reyno of Calabaza Deli for squash-based ketchup, flour, and chips; Zamboanga del Norte’s Son Raffael O. Barret of Qfarmercegen Eco Farm for mushroom fruiting bags and various mushroom-based food products; Zamboanga City’s Andrea G. Naraja of Andrea’s Quail Farm and Hatchery for ready-to-lay quail, eggs, and “pugo” pastil; Bukidnon’s Leon Vincent O. Paraguya of Wagling Cattle Enterprise for beef and aged premium cuts from fattened cows; and Saranggani Province’s Joseph B. Malantao of MagRice App for a mobile app promoting e-commerce for agricultural products.
The Upscale category winners include Davao del Sur’s Lendilou F. Loon of Sergio Loon Coffee Farm for green and roasted coffee beans, and Agusan del Sur’s Japhet G. Tabale of Prince Cacao Products Manufacturing for pure cacao tablea and nibs as well as pure corn coffee. (30)
