For the agriculture sector to flourish, all of its facets should be treated as equally important, all of its components should work together to make sure every Filipino has food on the table.
But the Department of Agriculture (DA) admits investing – and making a career – in agriculture profitable to attract a new generation of farmers that will feed the nation.
Governments all over the world cite aging labor in agriculture as a problem that affects food production. The Philippines is no exception.
One of DA’s programs aimed at making this happen is the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC).
The program has provided a total of P149.25 million in starting capital to 2,955 young farmers to implement their own agribusiness ventures.
Aside from capital grants, DA also provides various business development services to ensure that the young ones continue and upscale their operations through coaching and mentoring, local and international product expositions and assistance with business registrations, among others.
The program also allows the DA to engage with students taking up agriculture and related courses in the state universities and colleges to help transform their ideas into profitable agribusiness ventures by training them to improve their skills and knowledge as agripreneurs and professional farmer business owners.
While pushing for modernization, the DA also has programs on organic farming which caters mostly to the younger generation.
The DA organic agriculture enterprises provide farmers with opportunities to market their products and enhance their income.
The agency added the Philippines can easily supply organic produce not only for fresh fruits and vegetables but also non-food items such as textiles, fibers and personal care products.
