PUDTOL, Apayao – Lovy Trinidad of this town has advanced to the national stage of competition after being named one of seven champions in Cordillera for the Young Farmers Challenge program of the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR ) held in Baguio City on November 7.
The YFC is a competitive start-up program that provides financial grants to the youth who are involved in the formation of viable and profitable agri-fishery enterprises.
Entrepreneurial qualities, innovativeness, revenue stream, value addition, social responsibility, environmental protection, and conservation promotion were used to evaluate the agri-enterprises.
Trinidad enterprise “Ra’sawan Ulang Aqua Farm” which was presented before the panel of judges has gained exceptional recognition as the first rank in the Production category.
In an interview, Trinidad recounted her approach and unwavering confidence in winning the competition despite her consumed travel time, “Preparation is key in everything you do.
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.
Aside from advancing to the first phase of the National level, the young agri-preneur was also awarded PhP150,000 as seed funding for her intended business venture.
Last October, Trinidad, along with Terence John Aguinaldo of Santa Marcela, won at the provincial level.
Other regional winners from Cordillera provinces included, 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.
Meanwhile, the DA invites all interested young people with planned agri-based businesses to participate in the initiative.