A fresh wave of 150 young farmers is ready to start their new journey in agriculture and agribusiness following the graduation ceremony of the 2nd National Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA) held on December 9, 2025 in Quezon City.
“In the time when the average age of Filipino farmers continues to rise, engaging our youth is more critical than ever for the sustainable modernization of Philippine agriculture and strengthening of food security. Through programs like this, we are cultivating a new generation of farmers: innovative, resilient, and deeply committed to the progress of agriculture and the fisheries sector,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a message delivered by Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Alvin John F. Balagbag.
The YIPOA graduates (101 males and 49 females) are composed of 85 out-of-school youth and 65 college graduates. Together, they have established a total of 150 organic agriculture enterprises, successfully completed the program from June 2024 to December 2025 and submitted all the necessary requirements for the internship.
Implemented by the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) under the DA-National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), YIPOA is a specialized 21-month internship in organic farming for youth aged 18–35. Unlike typical scholarships, YIPOA offers hands-on training, mentoring, and start-up support to help youth become organic agripreneurs. It includes nine months of schooling and farm-based training, followed by a year of practical enterprise implementation, empowering participants to embrace farming as both a livelihood and a lifestyle.
“Today, these young individuals stand as symbols of hope and innovation. You have shown that the youth are not only the future, they are the present for shaping change in our agriculture and fisheries sector. Their determination and creativity have strengthened the foundation for a more sustainable and resilient food system,” DA-ATI Director Remelyn Recoter said.
With guidance from DA-ATI farm partners and mentors, the interns gained vital skills in sustainable farming, pest management, soil health, and organic certification, equipping them to manage their own enterprises.
DA-NOAP Director Bernadette San Juan acknowledged the farm partners who played a crucial role in honing the skills of the graduates. She reminded the new farmers to treasure the knowledge, experiences, and incentives they received, as these will serve as blessings in growing their ventures.
“The creativity, energy, and dedication shown by every young stakeholder today signals the dawn of a new era in Philippine agriculture, one that prioritizes sustainability and paves the way to genuine food sovereignty,” the agri chief said.
Since its launch in 2023, YIPOA has already produced a growing number of graduates who are now managing their own agri-enterprises and practicing sustainable farming. With this second batch, the program continues to build a strong foundation for a new generation of farmers who will carry forward the vision of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agriculture. ### (Gumamela Celes C. Bejarin-Rosas, DA-AFID)
