Young Farmers Lead the Way in Agri-Innovation

 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) honored the country’s most promising agri-entrepreneurs during the 2024 Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) national awarding held on July 17, 2025, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.

The event recognized youth-led enterprises that are transforming agriculture through innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized the role of young farmers as “catalysts of change—not tomorrow, but today,” highlighting their contributions to food security and modern farming. Since its launch in 2021, the YFC program has supported over 4,300 young Filipinos.

The YFC Startup national awardees for the Production Category are Dignity Lagunay of Tinibgan Bee, Carl Dembver Ibarra of Carl’s Pabo-rito, Rosemarie Lay-os of Berrylicious, Angel Mae Pastrano Bautista of La Farmia Agrinova, and Edison Lingaya of Brackish Venture.

For the Food Processing category, the winners are Jenifer Marie Gasatan of Yamazing Innovation, Flordeliza Falaminiano of Chips N’Joy, Regine Acuña of Janijin Food Products, Jerve Robin Paterno of Aquaplus Food Products Manufacturing, and Elyan Dave Tutaan and Princess Ivy Dotimas of The North Brew Barista Bites.

The winners for the non-food processing category are Kristin Angela Yap of L’Reinvente; Lea Mea Lizardo, Reyden Guevara, Grace Ubalde, and John Glen Mesa of Eco Pure Cleaning Solutions; and Cedreyk Iguiron and Jenny Salmingo of Ecosheets.

The digital agriculture category winners are Eric Joshua Castor, Melvin Mark Grandia, Heart Andreu Oquiana, Rhys Ryan Gimay, and John Arlu Magbanua of Reel Time Tech; and Kent Julius Toledo and Kaith Ira Sisbreño of Uma-ani Tech Solution.

For the upscale category, national awardees are Rogeliano Aparre Cenita of Bluecrust Processed Food Products, Jury Rey Catang of OZ Greens Vegetable Farm, Jeck Iyas, and Ma. Regina Patungan of Hiyas Urban Mushroom Farm; Lopemae Hana Bautista of Perr-res Fruit Food Products Processing, and John Arex Marcellana Ocampo of Kwatutubo: Kilusang Wais sa Agrikultura at Kaalaman kasama ang Katutubo.

The intercollegiate category awardees are Yany Torilla, Jeffer Kitz Cuales, and Keziah Diaz of Palaypel; Reynal Laurea, Vince Christian Mandario, and Kathleen Kaye Juanga of Cirpro Innovations; and Kieth Charles Bequible, Mauro Goyo Jr., and Juveriel Tenio of Blackgold Nutribar.

The special awardees are Reel Time Tech for Agriculture Technology Development, Banahaw Creations for Excellence in Product Packaging and Labelling Award, Ben’s Farm for Young Regenerative Agriculture, Berrylicious for Indigenous Innovation, and Tinibgan Bee for Social Innovation.

Each Start-Up winner received ₱300,000, while Upscale and Intercollegiate winners were granted ₱500,000 to scale their ventures.

This year’s YFC batch proves that the future of Philippine agriculture is not only bright—it’s already in motion.

(photos from Department of Agriculture-Philippines/Facebook)