The cool mountain breeze of the city Baguio City will be buzzing with youthful energy and fresh ideas this July, as the Department of Agriculture–Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), in collaboration with the DA Regional Field Office – Cordillera Administrative Region, hosts the much-awaited Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Batch 2024 National Competition and Awarding Ceremony from July 13 to 17, 2025.
Now on its fifth year, the YFC program has become a game-changer in the effort to rejuvenate Philippine agriculture.
Aligned with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. to cultivate a new generation of farmers, the initiative empowers young Filipinos to take the lead in modernizing the sector—tackling the looming crisis of an aging farming population with fresh entrepreneurial vigor.
To date, over 4,000 young farmers have received capital grants to launch promising agribusiness ventures.
At the heart of the weeklong affair is an intense head-to-head business proposal competition, gathering the country’s top young agri-preneurs in three categories:
- YFC National Start-Up Competition – Top 35 Finalists
- YFC National Upscale Competition – Top 15 Finalists
- YFC Intercollegiate Competition – Top 15 Finalists
From July 14 to 16, these bright minds will pitch their best ideas at the New Town Plaza Hotel before a panel of expert judges from the DA, DTI, DOST, State Universities and Colleges, and the private sector. Their mission? To convince the panel that their business model is not only viable but also capable of transforming the agricultural landscape.
But it’s not all just business plans and boardrooms. Participants will also embark on a Business Innovation Tour (BIT)across Cordillera’s thriving agribusiness sites. Organized by DA-RFO CAR, the tour is designed to expose the finalists to real-world innovations, smart farming practices, and sustainable business models thriving in the region’s unique mountain setting.
The grand finale takes place on July 17 at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC), where winners will be revealed and honored in a celebratory awards ceremony. Gracing the event will be Senator Imee R. Marcos, the original proponent of the YFC program, along with DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., local government leaders, and key players from the public and private sectors.
Winners will receive the following prestigious grants:
- Top 15 Start-Up National Winners – ₱250,000 each
- Top 5 Upscale National Winners – ₱500,000 each
- Top 3 Intercollegiate National Winners – ₱500,000 each
Special recognitions will also be awarded for outstanding achievements in Social Innovation, Product Packaging and Labeling, Indigenous Product Development, Young Regenerative Agriculture, and Agri-Tech Advancement.
Adding color to the event, the Baguio Convention Center will host a Product Showcase featuring the innovative goods developed by YFC awardees. It’s a golden opportunity for the finalists to network with potential investors, collaborators, and mentors.
As the countdown begins, anticipation is high. The YFC Batch 2024 isn’t just a competition—it’s a celebration of hope, innovation, and youth-driven change. With their bold ideas and boundless passion, these young visionaries are poised to sow the seeds of a more vibrant, resilient, and forward-thinking agriculture sector in the Philippines.
Get ready, Baguio—the future of farming is coming your way! ### (John Romar Pedrigal, DA-AMAS)
