PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially opened applications for the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Start-Up 2025, a nationwide initiative that provides young Filipinos with competitive financial grants to kick-start innovative agribusiness ventures.
The YFC program encourages Filipino youth to transform bold agricultural and fishery ideas into sustainable income-generating enterprises. Whether it’s farming, food processing, agri-tech, or other modern agribusiness models, qualified applicants have a chance to receive up to P300 thousand in funding, along with mentorship and nationwide exposure.
Interested youth must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Aged 18 to 30 at the time of application;
- Natural-born Filipino citizen;
- Must possess the capability and resources to start an agriculture or fishery business within their region;
- For group applications, all members must meet the criteria and are not related up to the second civil degree.
To apply, applicants must submit:
- Application letter;
- Duly accomplished application form;
- Business Model Canvas and activity/financial plan;
- Valid ID with birthdate;
- Proof of residency;
- Endorsement from the local agriculture or veterinary office;
- 2×2 ID photo with a white background;
- For group enterprises, a signed declaration of intent to register as a legal entity within a year;
- Additional documents depending on the business category.
Submissions will be evaluated based on entrepreneurial attitude, innovation, revenue generation, value addition, and social responsibility.
Successful applicants may receive financial grants of P80,000 at the provincial level, P150,000 at the regional level, and up to P300,000 at the national level.
The DA also offers extensive business development support, including training, mentoring, assistance in registration and certification, market linkages, and networking opportunities.
Charles Anthony C. Clamohoy, president of Zamboanga Peninsula YFC 2024 and developer of Bionourish, shared how the program helped him discover his potential.
“As youth, nakakat-on ko ug maghimo ug bag-ong produkto from agricultural crops ug na-enhance ang akong skills ug potential sa pagnegosyo. Gi-encourage nako ang mga kabatan-onan sa tibuok Zamboanga Peninsula nga magjoin sa Young Farmers Challenge program kay kini nagahatag og opportunity sa mga kabatan-onan para maenhance ang inyong skills and potential sa pangnegosyo,” Clamohoy said.
(As a youth, I learned how to create new products from agricultural crops, and it helped enhance my skills and potential in entrepreneurship. I encourage young people across the Zamboanga Peninsula to join the Young Farmers Challenge program because it provides opportunities for the youth to develop their skills and potential in business.)
Interested applicants may pre-register through the link: https://forms.gle/bwmNrZqULVCCPyXa7
📌 Full list of Documentary Requirements: http://tiny.cc/fsvpzz
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your idea into a thriving agribusiness. Visit your nearest municipal or provincial agriculture office and take the first step toward your entrepreneurial journey today. (EDT/HTB/PIA9 Zamboanga del Sur with reports from Department of Agriculture)
