BAGUIO CITY – Eleven young agripreneurs from the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Apayao showcased their agricultural business ventures at the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Regional Start-Up Competition held on April 29, 2025, in Guisad, Baguio City.
These participants were provincial awardees of the YFC Start-Up Competition, selected to represent their respective provinces in the regional leg. Of the eleven contenders, six presented production-based enterprises, while five introduced processing ventures.
The program opened with an inspiring message from Joan Bacbac, who emphasized the importance of believing in one’s ideas. “You are the builders of tomorrow,” she told the youth, encouraging them to trust their journey as agri-entrepreneurs.
Each participant delivered a concise presentation of their enterprise, outlining how they utilized the PhP80,000 cash prize from the provincial level, their marketing strategies, current or projected monthly income, and how they intend to use additional support if awarded at the regional level.
Marsha Pasong of the Benguet office of the Department of Trade and Industry, Brenson Dagwat of Dagwat Savers Farm, and May-Ann Tuba-ang of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) served as the panel of judges.
After thorough deliberation, standout participants were declared awardees: four from the Production Category Rosemarie Lay-os, Lindsay Monique Galla, Harold Kim Samdao, and Jovymae Aclib; and two from the Processing Category Glency Tino and Elvin Poski. Each awardee will receive a ₱150,000 cash prize and will advance to Phase I of the national competition.
Jovymae Aclib from Ifugao showcased her sustainable broiler production. She shared that she uses only organic materials for her chickens and avoids synthetic inputs. She added that knowing her friends, family, and community members would be among her customers, she wanted to ensure her products are organic and safe.
Meanwhile, Harold Kim Samdao of Gagayam Apiculture in Mountain Province presented his beekeeping enterprise, highlighting not only the production of honey and bee products but also the crucial role of bees in pollination. He stressed the need for better information dissemination among farmers about pollination.
From Apayao, Lindsay Monique Galla introduced “The Hoof Project,” a goat farming initiative inspired by the protein shortage following a series of typhoons. She emphasized that goats are highly adaptable to Apayao’s conditions and represent a viable livestock option.
Rosemarie Lay-os from Mountain Province, on the other hand, envisioned a local berry-picking farm to reduce dependence on imported berries and boost agri-tourism. “We mostly import berries, but we can grow them here and attract tourists as well,” she said.
Further, Elvin Poski of Vinfoods in Benguet launched his “Veggie Bar” to address the oversupply of vegetables and promote healthy eating habits, especially among children and adults who are reluctant to eat vegetables.
Glency Tino of Glen-C Food Products, also from Benguet, showcased her innovative two-in-one strawberry jam combo made with rhubarb and beetroot—two often overlooked crops. “Consumers don’t usually know how to consume these crops, so I wanted to bring them into the spotlight,” she explained.
“Have the confidence that would convince your consumer,” advised Tuba-ang after the announcement of winners, encouraging the participants to continue refining their business presentations. “We expect you to continue,” she added.
Moreover, Jocelyn Beray, AMAD Officer-In-Charge, reassured the non-winning participants of the agency’s continuing support. “Although you didn’t make it to the national level, there are still services and business development assistance for you. There are still activities that can help enhance or develop your business,” she said.
The YFC Regional Start-Up Competition served as a platform to put into spotlight the young minds who are shaping the future of agriculture in the Cordilleras—one innovative idea at a time. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
