News Details

DA Chief: Youth Key to the Future of Philippine Agriculture

NPO

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July 17, 2025

BAGUIO CITY – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday underscored the vital role of young Filipinos in sustaining and modernizing the country’s agricultural sector.

Speaking through Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra during the awarding ceremony of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) at the Baguio Convention Center, Laurel praised the program for showcasing how the youth can inject fresh ideas and energy into farming.

“The Young Farmers Challenge program is proof of the bright and promising future of agriculture in our country. I fully believe that your innovativeness and talent are keys to building a modern and sustainable agriculture in the Philippines,” Laurel said in a message delivered partly in Filipino.

Now in its fifth year, the YFC has expanded to include “Scale-Up” and “Intercollegiate” categories, drawing participants from across the country to present innovative agribusiness proposals.
Laurel noted that many of these projects have benefited not just the participants, but also their families and communities by addressing local agricultural challenges through creative solutions.

“To those who didn’t win, don’t be discouraged—this is only the beginning,” Laurel added, assuring continued support from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Undersecretary Cherry Marie Natividad-Caballero also addressed the participants, highlighting how several of the projects presented practical, creative solutions to longstanding agricultural issues. She cited an entry from the Cordillera region that was initially submitted as part of the YFC but has since been adopted and replicated nationwide under the DA’s “Gulayang Bayan” program.

Caballero said the YFC is successfully shifting young people’s perception of farming, showing it as a viable and meaningful livelihood rather than just a traditional occupation.

Since its inception, the program has supported over 4,300 young farmers nationwide. This year’s national finals gathered 64 competitors, whose proposals were evaluated for their potential contribution to food security and local economic development.

NPO News Team

PNA-PR