Two young South Cotabato farmers will compete in the National Young Farmers Challenge Fund: Kabataang Agribiz after they emerged as regional winners during the recently concluded awarding ceremony spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture 12 in Koronadal City.
Out of the 14 proponents, these two farmers won out of the three categories which will represent the region in the national awards.
These young farmers are Mr. Josue Carmen, Jr and Mr. Samuel Carmen with their “Carolina Reapers (World’s Hottest Pepper) Industrial Scale Production and Ms. Kimberly Bajade’s Swine Production project
Completing the list of the top three regional winners are the Alejo sisters, Ms. Sheena Allysa Alejo and Ms. Shihan Marie Cheska Alejo with the project title of “Tablea & Chocolate Processing”.
All of these winners received PhP150,000 cash assistance from the DA-12 through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).
These young farmers will be the official entry of Region 12 to the National Young Farmers’ Summit. At least six winners will be announced during the presentation of the national winners on December 17, 2021. Each will receive a Php300,000 cash prize.
The Young Farmers Challenge Fund: Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program is a competitive financial grant assistance program for the youth who will engage in agri-fishery based enterprises.
This program aims to provide the youth access to resources and opportunities that would enable them to venture into profitable agri-fishery based enterprises and Promote agri-fishery enterprise business models to the youth to showcase the viability potential of agri-based enterprises as sustainable ventures alternative to urban-based job employment.
The nationwide search is open to all youth that meets the qualifications set in the guidelines.
Criteria for the selection process include Entrepreneurial attitude, such as integrity, risk-taking, passion or exhibits of strong motivation to pursue agribusiness, good communication, and marketing skills, and leadership qualities; Innovativeness of the business proposal by finding new ways in addressing a problem by introducing new or modern technologies; or enhancing existing techniques and processes in producing goods and services; Revenue stream of the business proposal by showing the clear potential of generating revenue stream; and, Value Addition. Value Adding through the enhancement of a product or service that provides the additional economic value of an agri-fishery commodity to attract more customers and consequently increase revenue/profit.
