The Department of Agriculture through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division launched the second wave of the Young Farmers Challenge Fund: Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program in the Ilocos region on Thursday.
Likewise, the financial grant assistance under the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita was also turned over to the eligible cooperatives and associations (FCA), community-based organizations (CBOs), and local government units (LGUs).
Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs Kristine Evangelista was joined by OIC – Regional Executive Director Nestor Domenden, Atty. MC Anthony Ligayyu — representative of Sen. Imee Marcos, and AMAD chief Wilhelmina Castañeda as they led the awarding of cheques worth P1-M.
Except for Saint Paschal Baylon MPC which will be utilizing their grant as working capital, the recipients are expected to purchase delivery vehicles that will aid in the transport of their agri-fishery products to the market.
Usec. Evangelista as she briefed the participants on the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita and Young Farmers Challenge, stressed that the DA is always supportive to the needs of the farmers, fisherfolk, and youths, thus urging the participants to be creative in order to achieve an enhanced profit and an increase in the volume of production. “Anything that has to do na tataas ang kita ninyo, sagot namin yan, gobyerno ang tataya para magkaroon kayo ng puhunan” she said.
The Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita financial grant assistance program aims to enhance the capacities of farmers and fisherfolk organizations to become more reliable food commodity suppliers to consumers and for community based-organizations to sustainably operate the Kadiwa retail stores.
Meanwhile, the Young Farmers Challenge program is a competitive financial grant assistance program for the youth who will engage in new agri-fishery enterprises.
The YFC 2022 is now open for applicants aged 18-30 years old and the deadline for submission of documentary requirements will be announced thru the official Facebook page of DA Agribusiness – AMAS.
