ILOILO City – In a strategic move that signals long-term investment in rural economic transformation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas are bringing business skills to farm schools through the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), aiming to cultivate a generation of self-reliant young entrepreneurs.
Although formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last month, the initiative’s momentum is only starting to ripple through 31 farm schools across the region, where implementation is expected to drive a lasting shift from classroom theory to enterprise creation.
The YEP – “You Can Be Your Own Boss” (BYOB) program targets learners aged 18 to 30, particularly those in agricultural communities, offering them practical exposure to entrepreneurship through mentorship, workshops, funding linkages, and access to business networks.
DTI Region 6 director Rachel Nufable emphasized that the program is more than a learning intervention — it’s a “game changer” in regional economic development that places youth at the center of inclusive growth.
“We’re planting the seeds now, but the long-term impact is what matters most. This is about transforming mindsets and enabling futures,” Nufable said.
Former DepEd Region 6 director Ramir Uytico echoed this, highlighting the program’s alignment with efforts to address rural poverty: “Our vision is to empower learners from farm schools to become earners and educators. In doing so, we help break cycles of hunger and poverty in our communities.”
The integration of entrepreneurial training into the farm school curriculum seeks to bridge the gap between education and livelihood, preparing students not just for employment but for enterprise. Officials say the move also strengthens the region’s future resilience by encouraging youth to build scalable, sustainable agri-business ventures./PN
