BAGUIO CITY – Seven young agri-preneurs from the Cordillera won the Young Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) regional-level competition.
The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) presented the winners during the YFC regional search for the best enterprise implementer on November 7 in Baguio City.
The winners are Lovy Trinidad from Apayao, Jerald Encollado from Kalinga, Noel Bagote, Chreesteehn Luis, and Artemio Marcelo, Jr from Benguet, Jeptha Dulnuan from Ifugao, and Rhisvel Lomas-e from Mountain Province.
The seven winners will now advance to the first phase of the YFC national-level competition on November 13 to 17. They will also receive a whopping P150,000 as additional start-up capital for their enterprise.
Enterprise pitching
The young agri-prenuers were initially composed of 24 provincial winners. To make the selection more efficient, the provincial YFC focal persons cherry-picked the best enterprise from their provinces as their bet for the regional-level competition. Eventually, eight young agri-prenuers were chosen to participate in the regional competition.
The ingenious young farmers pitched a variety of innovative enterprises ranging from lobster production to heirloom rice flour processing, among others. The basis of judging were entrepreneurial attributes, innovativeness, revenue stream, value addition, social responsibility, and environmental protection and conservation promotion.
Agribusiness Promotion Section Chief Jocelyn Beray of the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chaired the panel of judges, together with BerryBenj Boutique Café owner Benjamin Cruz and Layla Corro from the Department of Trade and Industry.
‘Agriculture is for everybody’
Before the pitching, Regional Technical Director for Operations Danilo Daguio shared some words of inspiration to the young farmers. Accordingly, agriculture can be for anyone regardless of their profession.
“We are indeed inspired that maraming youth and interesado sa programa na ito. Regardless of your profession or your course in college, agriculture is for everybody. Every role na i-undertake dagitoy tattao in agriculture ket dakkel a banag,” Daguio said.
(We are indeed inspired that many youngsters are interested in this program. Regardless of your profession or your course in college, agriculture is for everybody. Every role in agriculture that people partake in is a big deal.)
Trinidad also recounted her competition journey. Despite the limited time for rest after traveling from Apayao to Baguio City, she exhibited unwavering confidence as she believed that she presented her pitch well before the judging panel.
“First off, travel from Apayao to Baguio. I attended my regular 7 to 4:30 work that time, and I had to go straight to the bus terminal. It took me 9 to 10 hours of travel to reach Baguio, and I had only one hour of rest before the contest proper. Though I was prepared for the competition. I smoked the Ra’sawan (prawn) prior to the day of the contest so that I could present it to the panel of judges,” Trinidad narrated. Her agri-enterprise also placed first under the production category.
“Preparation is key in everything you do. That was why I did not get nervous that much when the competition was ongoing. Dedication, grit, wit, interest, and creativity are must-haves in order for you to thrive in the endeavors you want to partake in,” she expressed. By JBPeralta
