Young Farmers Challenge Season 5 to Spotlight Emerging Agripreneurs in Iloilo

AGRI-NEWS | INNOVATION Posted on 2026-03-11 10:36:19

The Department of Agriculture, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VI, is set to host the Young Farmers Challenge Season 5 National Competition, Business Conference, and Awarding Ceremony in Iloilo City.

The program aims to empower young Filipinos to become agripreneurs and innovators, providing a platform where agricultural ideas can evolve into sustainable businesses. Through mentorship, training, and financial support, the initiative encourages youth participation in transforming the country’s agricultural sector.

This year’s national competition will feature 35 Start-Up finalists, 15 Upscale finalists, and 14 Intercollegiate finalists representing universities and agricultural enterprises from across the country. Participants will present their business ideas in a pitch competition as they compete for recognition as the nation’s leading youth-led agribusiness ventures.

Winning entries will receive financial support to help expand their projects, with P300,000 awarded to Start-Up winners and P500,000 granted to Upscale and Intercollegiate champions.

Season 5 also introduces several special recognition awards that highlight innovation and sustainability in agriculture. These include the Social Innovation Award, Excellence in Product Packaging and Labeling, Indigenous Innovation Award, Young Regenerative Agriculture Award, and Agriculture Technology Development Award. Selected Start-Up finalists may receive an additional P50,000 for each category.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the awards reflect the government’s effort to nurture a new generation of agricultural leaders.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to encourage young farmers to combine traditional agricultural knowledge with modern innovation.

Finalists will present their proposals before a panel composed of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, and private sector partners such as Unahco, Nestlé Philippines, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Mama Sita’s, and Jollibee Foods Corporation.

Beyond the competition, the Young Farmers Challenge Summit and Business Conference on April 22 will bring together agripreneurs, non-government organizations, and program alumni. The gathering will provide opportunities for knowledge-sharing, partnerships, and discussions on expanding youth-led agribusiness ventures.

The event will culminate on April 23 at the Iloilo Convention Center, where winners will be announced during the awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding young innovators in agriculture.

Since its launch in 2021, the Young Farmers Challenge program has reached 4,892 young participants nationwide, many of whom have developed and expanded their own agribusiness ventures. The initiative continues to highlight the growing role of Filipino youth in shaping the future of Philippine agriculture.

NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR

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