DA-13 transforms out-of-school youths as agripreneurs
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- The cattle-fattening business journey of the out-of-school youths (OSY) in the province has started as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga turned over the cattle head to the first batch beneficiaries under the Cattle-Raising Credit Financing Facility for OSY on September 5, 2023, in Alegria, Surigao del Norte.
A total of 36 cattle heads worth P 2.4 million was turned over to the first batch beneficiaries, comprising of 12 committed OSY from the municipalities of Alegria and Tubod.
Each young farmer entrepreneur received three heads of cattle that weighed 180-200 kilogram and aging from one to two years old.
The said business assistance is implemented under the Department's Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) that aims to provide affordable and accessible credit to the beneficiaries, and will create income opportunities for young Filipinos who are willing to venture into cattle-raising.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. OΓ±ate Jr., encouraged the young farmers to make use of the opportunity to become successful in the field of agri-business.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers said that the DA's credit and financing program is a huge help as it will bridge and nurture the dream of the youth.
"This program exemplifies our firm and unshakable belief that every young person deserves success regardless of their own circumstances." Gov. Barbers said.
On his part, Angelo P. Dagoc, one of the beneficiaries of the program, expressed gratitude to the government and showed excitement as this served his first experience and attendance to a seminar that will transform him to be an entrepreneur saying, "Nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno at binigyan kami ng halaga at oportunidad na kumita at magkaroon ng sariling negosyo, upang makatulong sa pamilya, sa komunidad at sa bansa natin [ I thank the government for giving me a chance to have and develop my own business and earn income so I can help my family, community and the country]."
Surigao del Norte is one the pilot areas in Mindanao for the said program of which DA-ACPC is targeting 50 recipients with a total of P10 million worth of loan capital.
There will be additional 38 OSY chosen for the second batch of the said program.
The turn-over activity was attended by Director OΓ±ate, together with DA-ACPC Director Noel Clarence Ducusin; Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega; Rodolfo M. Guieb and Alberto D. Ocampo Jr as DA technical advisers of the Office of the Senior Undersecretary; ATI-Caraga Director Dr. Jessie Beldia; representatives from PCIC, Cantilan Bank and other municipal local government officials. (With story from DA/SDR, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
