The Department of Agriculture on Friday said it will host the Young Farmers Challenge Program (YFC) 2023 National Awarding Ceremony on 14 December 2023, at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City.

The DA, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and the DA-Regional Field Office in CALABARZON, will host the event which is the culmination of a ladderized competition from the provincial to the national level.

A total of 33 YFC Start-Up Finalists and 16 YFC Upscale Finalists will compete for the Top 12 in the Start-Up Category and the Top 5 in the Upscale Category.

The ceremony will be graced by program sponsor, Senator Imee R. Marcos, for the keynote address, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., other DA Officials, and representatives from the private sector.

The YFC program for this year has added new components like the Start-Up Category, Upscale Category, and Intercollegiate Category, with the aim of helping more youth and students taking up agriculture-related courses to venture into agriculture and agribusiness.

The National Awardees for the Start-Up Category will receive an additional capital grant of Php 300,000.00. For the Upscale Category, an additional capitalization of Php 500,000.00 will be granted. The awardees for both categories will be announced live during the official awarding ceremony on 14 December 2023.

These YFC awardees have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable farming practices, technological innovation, and community engagement. Their passion for agriculture and commitment to excellence set them apart as exemplary leaders and young heroes in the industry.

In addition to the national awarding, the 3rd YFC summit will also held. The summit will include a business forum, lectures on other programs for youth, like those from DTI, ATI, ACPC, FDA, and FDC, and a roundtable discussion of YFC participants with
invited private sector.

YFC is part of DA's ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting the growth of the agricultural community through the engagement of the youth. The DA seeks to highlight the importance of young farmers in ensuring a resilient and thriving agricultural sector for years to come.