DA crafts entrepreneurship program for youth

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture is crafting an entrepreneurship program that will encourage the Filipino youth to venture into the local farm industry.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said DA would allocate funds to support young farmers to develop their own agricultural enterprise.

Qualified proposals from young college degree holders, may be awarded a start-up capital loan of P300,000 to P500,000, payable in five years with zero interest.

“To address the aging population of Filipino farmers and assure a strong labor force for the agri-fishery sector in the coming years, we are coming up with initiatives to motivate and encourage the young Filipinos to take interest in agricultural activities,” Dar said.

Dar urged local leaders to make agriculture more profitable, noting that the youth will not be encouraged to go into the business of food production if they do not see its economic benefits.

“The younger generations will be more motivated to join the sector if they see advancements in technology and farm applications. We need to elevate our game,” he said.

In a recent visit to Bicol, Dar was able to secure the support and commitment of the local government units to work with the national government to address hunger and poverty.

“We want to enhance partnership with LGUs, hoping it brings great impact to the improvement of the quality of lives of farmers’ and fisherfolks,” Dar said.

The meeting was conducted to identify programs and projects that need policy recommendations, which the DA and LGUs can implement together.

Meanwhile, a total of P23.8 million worth of machinery and farm inputs were turned over to farmers’ associations in Bicol to strengthen programs and projects implemented by the DA.

The DA also awarded P1.75 million in funds under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Loan Program, benefiting 117 farmer beneficiaries from the municipalities of Malilipot and Bulusan of Albay, and Sta. Magdalena of Sorsogon.