TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur - The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII participated in the Agripreneurship Product Exhibit and Pitching, hosted by the North Eastern Mindanao State University – Tagbina Campus through the Department of Agriculture spearheaded by Faculty in-charge Nancy S. Doloriel.
With the theme, “Sustaining the Future: Young Agripreneurs for a Greener Tomorrow,” the event was held on November 29, 2024, at the NEMSU-Tagbina gymnasium. It featured over 40 groups of first- and fourth-year BSA and BAT students who showcased innovative agricultural food and non-food products and pitches. The products included honey glow soap, mango graham pastillas, Bavarian yummy, choco bomb, crispate, pumpkin crackers, white rice and corn coffee, and others, which were evaluated based on product feasibility and viability, market understanding, clarity of presentation, communication skills, and persuasiveness of the student-presenters.
The resource persons and panelists during pitching sessions were Warlito M. Untua, Municipal Agriculturist (MA) of LGU-Tagbina, Jennylyn E. Cardino from the Department of Agriculture-Tagbina Research Station, and Mary Grace B. Salve, MPS II of the ATI-RTC XIII.
Salve presented the training and extension programs offered by the ATI aimed at enhancing youth engagement in agriculture. She emphasized the criteria, requirements, and mechanics of the local and international internship programs designed to develop the capabilities of deserving young Filipino farmers to become empowered farmer leaders and agricultural entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Cardino discussed the DA-AMAD’s Young Farmers Challenge Fund (YFCF) of the Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program. At the same time, MA Untua underscored the mechanics of the Search for Outstanding Young Agripreneur, a yearly financial grant program of the local government unit of Tagbina.
In her message, Ms. Renee M. Prejula, Administrative Officer V, commended the organizers for shaping the youth to transform their ideas into innovative products and hopefully pursue sustainable agribusiness. Dr. Doloriel mentioned that this initiative for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Bachelor in Agricultural Technology students enrolled in Economics subjects aimed to promote the growth and innovation of aspiring young agripreneurs, encouraging them to pursue their passions, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to playing vital roles in agricultural development in the future.
