Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged young Bicolanos to take advantage of various government initiatives seeking to promote the agro-fishery sector.
Tiu Laurel underscored the importance of the youth in the food production sector in his message during the 2nd Metro Naga Young Leaders Forum.
“You are the hope of our nation. Thus, it is our duty and legacy to prepare you, to empower you for the future,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) which offers financial grants to young Filipinos eager to engage in new agri-fishery enterprises.
YFC, started in 2012, has the support of the Office of Senator Imee Marcos.
The DA said it provided P15.37 million financial grants to YFC beneficiaries in Bicol from 2021 to 2023. It also assisted the program in terms of product promotion and technical assistance.
There are about 182 enterprises in Bicol managed by 230 young farmers that are being funded by the YFC Program.
Another initiative is the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture funded by the National Organic Agriculture Program and implemented by the Agricultural Training Institute.
The nine-month program involves internship with a farm partner, preferably with a learning site for agriculture.
A total 145 youth participants received grants of P150,000 as start-up capital for swine and poultry raising, vegetable production, propagation of black soldier fly and Mokusako production.
“We are revolutionizing the food sector by strengthening our capabilities towards mechanization and modernization of agri-fishery production systems,” Tiu Laurel said.