CLARK, PAMPANGA — Over 100 youth farmers and leaders gathered for the 2025 National Youth in Agriculture and Fisheries Summit with a theme “Empowering Youth Through Agri-Innovation”.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), in collaboration with Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) organized the Summit. It aims to serve as a platform for young agripreneurs, youth organizations, sangguniang kabataan, and stakeholders in agriculture and fisheries to unite for the formulation of innovative policy recommendations, share ideas and best practices, and influence the agriculture and fisheries policy development agenda.
Julieta E. Opulencia, Deputy Executive Director III of PCAF, emphasized the role of the youth in agriculture and their crucial contribution towards farm modernization and sustainability in her opening message. In her message she defined youth as “leaders of tomorrow and the change makers of today”. She also added that the youth’s “Ideas, courage to innovate and commitment to sustainability are exactly what our agri-fisheries sector needs to thrive in the face of climate change, global competition and food security.”
The highlight of the Summit was the workshops where the participants identified the problems of the marginalized sectors and used it to develop effective strategies, and enhance educational opportunities and training programs for the youth.
Robert Diesta, a graduate of a collaborative program of ATI and Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) Young Filipino Farm Leaders Program in Japan (YFFLTPJ) served as resource person during the panel discussion of youth success stories along with Ryan Palunan, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC) Chairperson, Lopemae Hana Bautista, Young Farmers Challenge Winner, and Cleo Mansiliohan of Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan. They shared their experiences and best practices on their respective organizations and communities and fostered intellectual discussion during the open forum with fellow youth leaders and farmers.
ATI scholars and graduates of the international internship program— Prince Arvin Signo, Gladys Joy Borlaza, Dianne De Jesus, Erwin Gonzales, Agustin Caro, Edjean Morales, Angelica Mae Ortega, Arabella Grace Predog, and Edzel Lugtu, actively participated during the conduct of the Summit.
On Day 3 of the Summit, the participants visited St. Isidore the FARMer, Sta. Ana, Pampanga an ATI-accredited Learning Site for Agriculture and an Extension Service Provider. They took a farm tour and engaged in agricultural discussions on hydroponics and livestock farming.
The Summit was held at Lohas Hotel, Clark, Pamapanga from August 5 to 8, 2025.
