Gov’t funds available for young farm entrepreneurs

By May Flor Magciano and Jen Sabado-Tabangcura

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- College graduates and undergraduates preferably of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (AFNR) courses, ages 20 to 38 years old, can now have the funds to make their business ideas materialize through the Young Farmers Program (YFP).

The program includes 13 days of rigid training on entrepreneurship theories and enterprise practicum then after the training, the participants can avail of a grant and a loan for their business proposals.

YFP through the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture would provide 40% grant to the total production cost of a farming enterprise in Benguet, Baguio City and Mountain Province as supplement to the 50% loan that could be availed from the Cooperative Bank of Benguet (CBB) and the 10% equity required.

Interested applicants to the YFP have to obtain endorsements of their school head, Barangay Captain/Barangay Agricultural and Fishery Council (BAFC), Municipal Agriculturist/Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council, Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council and CAR Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council, and CBB.  Proponents from Baguio City will be endorsed by BAFC, City Agricultural and Fishery Council (CAFC) and RAFC. They have to prepare a project feasibility and project proposal which have to be defended to these councils. Forms are available at the BSU-Project Development Office. The program is open to groups and individuals.

The YFP was launched in 2003 with Sen. Ramon B. Magsaysay Jr. with the objectives to encourage young graduates to become agro-fisheries entrepreneurs and to provide more job or income opportunities especially in the countryside.

The program also aims to enhance competitiveness of agriculture and fisheries through value-adding small and medium-scale enterprises and empower the youth to become participants in nation building through acquisition and application of entrepreneurship skills.   

There are 22 recent graduates of the entrepreneurship program for this year coming from Baguio City, Buguias, Atok, Mankayan and La Trinidad closely mentored by experts in the fields of their interest. Angeline B. Castro and Junel P. Marcos were trained in oyster mushroom production by Jumarlyn L. Abad at the BSU Mushroom Project. Genie B. Soyon was trained on Greenhouse Hydrophonics Production of Vegetables by Sergio T. Gayao at the BSU Experiment Station. Agnes S. Philip was trained on organic vegetable production and Klesinger C. Otculan was trained on vegetable multiple cropping in open field and inside greenhouse also at the BSU Balili Experiment Station byDr. Antonio B. Otculan.

Joseph B. Batcagan and Joy M. Macasling were trained on Poultry Egg Production by Prof. Myrna B. Walsiyen.  Jayson D. Orlani, Jimuel P. Peg-ed, and Peterson S. Bacdayan were trained on apiculture at the BSU-Buguias Apiculture Project by Mr. Julius M. Abyado. Herson M. Dampulay and Eden O. Ligod were trained on swine raising at the BSU-Buguias Swine Project by Mr. Dick M. Segundo.  Apolonio B. Deneng,  Novelyn K. Lokino, and Asuncion C. Tanacio were trained on Potato Production at the BSU-Northern Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) by Paz A. Dalang.

Arlyn D. Atiwag, Ms. Mary P. Bugtong, Ms. Semelina D. Cabigat, and Ms. Geraldine E. Depayso were trained on Carnation and Colored Calla Lily Production at Mountain Bloom and Greens Multi-purpose Cooperative in Paoay, Atok, Benguet by Prof. Faustino G. Hermano.  May Marie L. Ignas was trained on Anthurium Production at Gonzales’ Anthurium Farm in Shilan, La Trinidad byDr. Ines C. Gonzales. Donnie Ray N. Cho and Melody T. Ayupan had adequate trainings on Strawberry Production and Natural Soap Production, respectively