Yadu Karu: Advocacy & Narratives

When the Department of Agriculture launched the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) in 2021, Dennis S. Caaya was among 55 ambitious entrants in Cotabato province eager to transform agricultural ideas into reality. Equipped with a 50,000-peso grant, he set out to build a commercial venture. Five years later, he is one of those original competitors who remain active in the province. "From the first batch, who is left?" Caaya asked, reflecting on the program’s early drop-out rate. "Some were enticed by the cash prize without a long-term vision. When starting a business, you have to look at sustainability." While others pivoted away, Caaya leveraged his initial capital to found Herb Yard Herb Farm , an 800-square-meter urban model farm in Barangay Balindog, Kidapawan City. Today, the enterprise serves as a regional benchmark for organic crop production, agritourism, and community-based education. From Campus Collector to Commercial Grower Caaya’s journey into agriculture was ...