A JOINT program of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and East-West Seed Philippines, the Young Agripreneurs Building Opportunities, Nurturing Growth (Yabong) Bootcamp closed on Thursday, May 9, 2024, with a pitching session, graduation and innovation fair at SEARCA in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna.
SEARCA Director Glen Gregorio said 20 young farmers, selected out of 160 applicants from all over Luzon, joined the bootcamp to enhance their vegetable production and entrepreneurship expertise.
Gregorio said almost half were women with their farms ranging from half-a-hectare to 12 hectares, they mastered farming techniques and learned to devise business strategies, and believed in growth opportunities in vegetable farming and learning.
"May pera sa gulay (There is money in vegetables)," said John Francisco, while Genivie Marqueses said, "Nasa agrikultura ang pag-unlad ng (It's in agriculture that there's progress in the) future."
Meanwhile, Bicol farmer Mildred Ninofranco anticipates substantial improvements in her farming business, emphasizing the importance of adopting new technologies and efficient farming practices.
Gregorio said the bootcamp combined online and hands-on sessions to offer a dynamic learning experience.
"Topics covered included seed management, soil nutrients, pests, and diseases. Hands-on activities included cross-pollination, mulching, transplanting, trellising, pruning and vine management," he added.
Participants also toured the East-West Seed Philippines warehouse and laboratories, gaining insights into seed variety development, packaging and shipping processes for tropical vegetables.
Moreover, Gregorio said the participants learned the importance of developing business plans for various purposes including strategy creation, partner recruitment, fundraising, decision-making, cash flow tracking, and effective marketing.
He said 21 sessions over three months spent crafting innovative business improvement plans for their farms will culminate in a pitch competition, with the top five earning a P50,000 boost to kickstart their farm enhancements.
Judging was based on completeness, feasibility, sustainability, entrepreneurial mindset, innovativeness and delivery.
On graduation day, Gregorio said the young agripreneurs also showcased their plans and products at the innovation fair, which was open to the public.
The fair featured value-added, farm-based products and services that visitors may purchase or order. Plant and farm doctors provided free consultations.
