Agri-10 continues YFC 2024 judging for Start-up and Upscale categories

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In support of young agripreneurs across Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted the second batch of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2024 Provincial Start-Up and Regional Upscale Judging on Tuesday, April 15, here.

This initiative, spearheaded by the DA, aims to build entrepreneurial capacity among the youth and promote inclusive, innovative, and sustainable agri-fishery ventures.

For the Start-Up category – Provincial Level, six individuals pitched their respective agri-fishery business proposals:

Oink and Quack Farms
Solar Smart – Batoy Hydro Farm
La Farmia Cornana
Magtagad’s Sustainable Swine Farming
RTL Chicken Enterprise
Farm Goodies Buddy

Each of these proponents stands a chance to receive PhP80k in financial grant as seed capital to implement or enhance their proposed agri-enterprises. Winners at this level will move forward to compete in the regional level of the competition.

Meanwhile, for the Upscale category – Regional Level, two previous YFC awardees returned to vie for the PhP300k grant intended to support the expansion and sustainability of their operations. These include:

Isidro’s Integrated Farm (YFC 2023 Provincial Awardee)
Dream’s Arabica Coffee (YFC 2023 Provincial Awardee)

Said component is open exclusively to former YFC Start-Up awardees who have demonstrated commitment and progress in running their enterprises and are now seeking to scale operations through upgraded facilities, expanded production, and improved market reach.

Participants in both categories were evaluated by a panel of judges from the DA-10 and partner institutions based on criteria such as innovation, enterprise viability, social responsibility, and growth potential.

Through the YFC program, the DA-10 continues to encourage the youth to become active players in agriculture, strengthening food systems and generating livelihood in their communities.# (EJLG)