The Young Farmers Challenge: Cultivating the Next Generation of Agripreneurs
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Department of Agriculture–Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) successfully facilitated the Upscale Coaching and Mentoring Activity for the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Season 5 National Finalists from December 8 to 12, 2025, at the Dohera Hotel in Mandaue City, Cebu, as part of its continuing efforts to strengthen youth-led agribusiness enterprises.
The five-day program brought together young agripreneurs from across the country who are ready to scale up their agribusiness ventures through enhanced market competitiveness, financial management, and innovation. The activity featured expert-led mentoring sessions in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), QBO Innovation Hub, and the University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP-ISSI).
UP-ISSI played a key role in strengthening participants’ business capabilities through specialized lectures delivered by Dr. Ian de Vera and Ms. Senedith delos Reyes. Dr. de Vera provided practical insights on digital marketing and e-commerce strategies, while Ms. delos Reyes led a session on accounting for non-accountants, equipping participants with essential tools for sound financial decision-making.
The Upscale Component is designed for young farmers who have moved beyond the start-up phase and are now focused on business expansion, operational efficiency, and investment readiness. Through mentoring, coaching, and peer learning, participants received constructive feedback to refine their business models and address growth challenges.
The activity concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants who completed the program. The Young Farmers Challenge Upscale Program highlights the DA’s commitment to empowering the youth as drivers of innovation and sustainability, with strong support from academic and industry partners such as UP-ISSI, in building a resilient and future-ready Philippine agriculture sector.