QUEZON CITY – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) concluded the 2022 implementation of the Binhi ng Pag-asa Program (BPP) with a third youth summit conducted from December 19 to 21, 2022 at the Axiaa Hotel.
The BPP National Summit and Year-end Assessment gathered more than 80 youth beneficiaries from eight covered provinces – Tarlac, Bataan, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Iloilo, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Cotabato.
ATI OIC-Director Remelyn Recoter graced the event and emphasized that the aging population is one of the major concerns in the agri-fisheries sector. Thus, she reminded the youth that they are the “future of the nation” and encouraged everyone to continuously be part of enhancing the sector in their communities.
As the partner of the ATI in the BPP implementation, Office of Senator Grace Poe (OSGP) Chief-of-Staff Brian Poe-Llamanzares shared that the event aims to showcase the memorable experiences and learning of the beneficiaries from the program. "By being part of the BPP, you are being empowered to be competent agripreneurs," he told the youth.
Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban also attended the event and reiterated that the agency – in the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. – is cultivating a new breed of farmers for the modernization and development of the agri-fisheries sector. Thus, he is thankful and happy for the active participation of the BPP beneficiaries in the DA's endeavors.
The ATI also launched the BPP’s “Pagyabong” magazine, which features the stories of growth of 2021 beneficiaries in leadership and agripreneurship after a year of implementation. “Ang inyong pagyabong ay magandang senyales sa pag-usbong ng sektor ng agrikultura,” USec. Panganiban said.
ATI Regional Training Center (RTC) Directors Rolando Maningas, Elsa Parot, and Abdul Daya-an were also present at the event.
Youth beneficiaries showcase talents, skills
The youth beneficiaries also participated in various contests, which aim to showcase their talents and skills in leadership and agripreneurship.
Feeding the World through Binhi: “One Seed at a Time” featured documentary short films as agricultural development advocacies. Cotabato bagged the champion award, followed by Tarlac and Camarines Norte.
The second contest has two versions, which are Step Up Cup: Youth towards Leadership and Start-Up Cup: Youth towards Agripreneurship. The competition is a leadership or agripreneurship project proposal-making for potential youth ventures.
Batangas won the Step Up Cup: Youth towards Leadership, followed by Bataan and Camarines Norte. Meanwhile, Cotabato was the champion of the Start-Up Cup: Youth towards Agripreneurship, followed by Zamboanga Sibugay and Oriental Mindoro.
The last competition was the BPP Quiz Bee: Agri-Tagisan – in which Cotabato was hailed the champion, followed by Batangas and Bataan.
The champion for each contest (except for Start-Up Cup: Youth towards Agripreneurship) received Php 10,000 worth of agri-fishery supplies and Php 10,000 cash. The second and third placers got Php 8,000 and Php 6,000 worth of agri-fishery supplies, as well as cash with the same amount.
Other activities
Aside from the competitions, the OSGP also facilitated the presentation of Situation, Problem, Implication, and Needs (SPIN) outputs for agricultural development per province.
Meanwhile, OSGP Chief for Political Affairs Jyleazar Dela Rosa discussed leadership tips for youth to apply and thrive in agriculture.
Zennor Hydroponics Farm owner Rafael Pagaling motivated the young farmers to establish their youth farms and become agripreneur with his success story.
Furthermore, representatives from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and the ATI shared opportunities and interventions for young people in the agriculture sector to sustain their farming journey.
Lastly, the provincial program management officers of the BPP presented their annual accomplishments, best practices, and challenges encountered.
