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Thursday, August 25, 2022

DA Grants ₱5.5 million startup capital to Young Farmers

BUTUAN CITY -- Startup capital for micro Agri-fishery enterprises was given to 75 awardees from the five provinces of the Caraga region through the Department of Agriculture’s 2nd Young Farmers Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program Provincial Awarding at the VCDU Convention Center, Butuan City on August 22.

DA-Caraga Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Chief Lynn A. Pareñas said that the awardees of the grant include 40 entries for the individual category and 35 entries for the group category.

As a working capital for their agribusiness plans, the provincial winners received the financial grant amounting to ₱50,000 for the individual category and ₱100,000 for the group category. The 75 Young Farmers in the region received a total grant of ₱5.5 million.

Rebecca R. Atega, OIC, Regional Technical Director for Operations, said that the DA with the support of Senator Imee Marcos aims to encourage aspiring youth to engage in Agri-fishery-based enterprises focused on production, processing, and supply chain marketing.

During the awarding, RTD Atega encouraged the awardees to sustain their planned enterprises. "I hope you will pursue a more profitable agribusiness to help our country. Agriculture is the solution to ensuring that the country will have access to safe, affordable, and available food. We are here to support you for you to become agripreneurs," she said.

Moreover, the proprietor of Uma Alima Goat Production, Jessa Myr T. Balandra, 24, from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, noted that the demand for goat meat presents a business potential for her.

"With the startup capital provided by the DA, I intend to purchase highly productive meat goat breeds, the Anglo Nubian and Boer which are excellent choices for producing meat. As a young entrepreneur, this is a huge help to me in realizing my plans," she said. 

The top 75 provincial winners will advance to next challenge which is the regional level.

Present during the event were Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations and ILD Nicandro M. Navia, Jr., Executive Assistant to Mayor Roscoe Plaza of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte representing the office of Senator Imee Marcos Myco Cassion, APCO Chiefs June Anthony Ouano and Maria Theresa Espenido, and DA-ACPC personnel. (Rhea C. Abao, DA-Caraga RAFIS/PIA Caraga)

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