The Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Agri Online Business Pitching officially commenced on April 7, 2026, at the Agricultural Training Institute-Region XII. Organized in close collaboration with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 12, this initiative serves as a strategic platform to empower youth aged 18 to 30. The program aims to modernize the agricultural sector by incentivizing the creation of technology-driven, profitable, and climate-resilient enterprise models.

The competitive pitching event is structured into three distinct tracks designed to support different stages of business development and academic innovation. In the Start-up category, Dan Merchand M. Viernes from Kidapawan City, Cotabato, presented his venture, Bloomfresh Cauli, alongside Janus Kyle C. Villalobos from Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, who featured a Hybrid-Powered Incubator. The Upscale category showcased Denz Bert P. Deramos representing the Sikap Coffee Enterprise from Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. Representing the Intercollegiate category, the student team of Ruel T. Taborada, Mitch Jairah A. Perez, and Precious Hyacinth D. Mananquil from the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato, pitched their agricultural project named Sweetito.

To ensure the long-term viability and market readiness of these agribusiness proposals, presenters were subjected to a rigorous critique by a panel of institutional experts from the Agricultural Training Institute XII. Training Specialist III Simona P. Dela Cruz and Agriculturist II Jun Rey L. Samillano evaluated each business model, offering technical guidance on financial sustainability, operational scalability, and risk management. This evaluation process ensures that the young contenders are equipped with the refined business acumen necessary to successfully lead and transform the future landscape of Philippine agriculture.