ILOILO City — Young agriculture entrepreneurs or “agripreneurs” from Western Visayas clinched multiple national awards and cash grants in the Young Farmers Challenge Program National Pitching Competition Season 5, underscoring the region’s growing role in strengthening food security through innovation and enterprise.
The five-day competition, held from April 20 to 24 in Iloilo City, saw Western Visayas entries emerge as top contenders across several categories, highlighting the region’s rising influence in modern agriculture and agri-based entrepreneurship.
Among the winners during the awarding ceremony at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao district on April 23 were:
* Anita’s Juice Corner – 4th place in Upscale Component (P500,000 prize); owner – Ross Anthony S. Borda
* Banana-Kingdom Food Products – 3rd place in Processing Category under Start Up Component (P300,000 prize); owner – Joy. C. Sabah
* Sirit Kuriit Food Products – 4th place in Processing Category under Start Up Component (P300,000 prize); owners – Geneco R. Mabasa, Jana Andrea G. Urriza, and Beatrice Rheezette T. Abelieto
* K&L EcoFeed – 2nd place in Non-Food Category under Start Up Component (P300,000 prize); owners – Karlo Mindanao and Lynne Rose Mindanao
* Agribnv – 1st place in Digital Agriculture under Start Up Component (P300,000 prize); owners – Eeica Jane Hadlocon and Rian Kierre Golez
Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero, in her keynote message, lauded the awardees and emphasized the critical role of young agripreneurs in ensuring the country’s food security amid global challenges.
“We celebrate more than winners. We celebrate a generation that has chosen to lead in one of the most critical sectors of our time — agriculture. We are gathered at a moment when the world continues to face complex and interconnected challenges: disruptions in global supply chains, the rising cost of fuel and fertilizers, climate uncertainties, and increasing pressure to ensure that food remains accessible and affordable for all,” Caballero said.
She stressed that young farmers are not merely participants in the program but key players in sustaining the nation’s food systems.
“You are not just participants of the Young Farmers Challenge Program. You are frontliners of food security. You are the ones ensuring that food is not only produced — but is available, accessible, and sustainable for every Filipino family,” she added.
Caballero also highlighted the innovative mindset of the new generation of farmers, noting their ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
“But beyond production, what makes this generation remarkable is your ability to innovate. You see opportunity where others see loss. You transform surplus and underutilized crops into value-added products. You reduce waste, increase income, and create new market possibilities. This is the kind of thinking that we need — innovation that adds value, minimizes losses, and maximizes impact,” she said.
She further credited local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges, and institutional partners for nurturing young agripreneurs at the grassroots level.
Caballero said the DA is strengthening its support system beyond providing start-up capital, focusing on long-term growth through mentorship, enterprise incubation, and market linkage.
“This is the transformation we envision: a modern agricultural sector powered by innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking. And this is where the Department of Agriculture, through the Young Farmers Challenge Program, remains fully committed,” she said.
She added that the program aims to provide continued technical and business development support, facilitate mentorship, and connect young farmers with processors, buyers, and investors to expand their market reach.
Despite rising fuel prices, increasing fertilizer costs, and other operational challenges, Caballero said young agripreneurs continue to adapt through efficient resource use, alternative inputs, and smarter production systems — further reinforcing their role in reshaping agriculture into a dynamic, profitable, and future-ready sector.
The following is the complete list of winners:
Upscale Component
* 1st – Banahaw Creations – CALABARZON
* 2nd – Kuya Jordz Aqua-Green Integrated Farm – Region II
* 3rd – Sikap Coffee Enterprise – Region XII
* 4th – Anita’s Juice Corner – Region VI
* 5th – Sir Juan Agriventure Poultry and Agricultural Supply – Region III
Intercollegiate Component
* 1st – SQOODLES – CALABARZON
* 2nd – FRS Bignay Bliss – MIMAROPA
* 3rd – Zesty Natural – Region V
Start Up Food Processing Category
* 1st – Snappie – Region XIII
* 2nd – ESG Tomato Tweest Fruit Strips – Region II
* 3rd – Banana-Kingdom Food Products – Region VI
* 4th – Sirit Kuriit Food Products – Region VI
* 5th – Arteza Chocolate – CALABARZON
Non-Food Category
* 1st – Phytosphere Agro-biotech Processing Enterprise – Region XI
* 2nd – K&L EcoFeed – Region VI
* 3rd – Palatak Palay Seeder Rental & Farm Goods – MIMAROPA
Production Category
* 1st – Imperanza Fish Production – MIMAROPA
* 2nd – EJL Silage Products and Ruminant Production – Region II
* 3rd – Purple Roots – Region VIII
* 4th – Extraordinary Duck Farm – Region III
* 5th – Golden Goat Ranch – Region X
Digital Agriculture
* 1st – Agribnv – Region VI
* 2nd – Hybrid-Powered Incubator – Region XII
Special Awards
* Agriculture Technology Development Award – Hybrid-Powered Incubator
* Excellence in Product Packaging and Labelling Award – Meatless Food Store
* Young Regenerative Agriculture Award – K&L EcoFeed
* Indigenous Innovation Award – Golden Goat Ranch
* Social Innovation Award – Imperanza Fish Production/PN
