Another young farmer showcased the Igorot prowess in agriculture as Rosemarie Lay-os of Sagada, Mountain Province, secured 3rd place under the Production Category of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) – Start-up Component. The awarding was conducted today, July 17, 2025, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio City.

26-year old Rosemarie will receive Php300,000 on top of her previous grants amounting to Php230,000 from the Provincial and Regional Levels. The latest grant will be used to further develop her enterprise “Berrylicious Berry Farm and Nursery”. Her enterprise focuses on producing blueberries and raspberries.

Her enterprise also bagged the “Indigenous Innovation Award” in recognition of its culturally rooted business model that preserves and promotes Filipino cultural heritage through the incorporation of traditional techniques and designs, and use of sustainable materials, among others.

In his message, Agriculture Chief Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. through Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, underscored the role of the young farmers as among the food security advocates of the country through their contribution to their communities.

“You have proven that where you started does not define your success, what matters is how you continued, how you persevered, and how you chose to rise above challenges despite juggling your academics, your professional works, and your personal or family struggles. You stayed committed, and that is truly admirable,” he said, adding that the Department of Agriculture remains committed to supporting young farmers and agripreneurs in their agribusiness ventures.

Further, Nicko Borromeo from the Office of Senator Imee Marcos, which funds the YFC Program, expressed confidence with the young farmers’ ability in boosting Philippine agriculture, while also highlighting their resiliency, resourcefulness, and patriotism. “Ang mga kabataan na ang nagtuturo sa atin ng inobasyon at ng mga makabagong paraan sa agrikultura. Higit pa sa numero, ang mahalaga ay ang mga kwento ng young farmers na naglakas-loob na mag-negosyo, gumamit ng makabagong teknolohiya, at hindi umatras kahit ilang bagyo pa ang nagdaan,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong also graced the awarding ceremony, emphasizing the leadership potential of the youth who are at the forefront of innovation, as they lead the change through their different perspectives of the world. “When people call you “future leaders”, you should feel insulted, and should totally disagree, because if there is any time that you should be leaders, it should be now,” he declared.

Rosemarie, in an interview, expressed her gratitude for the recognition together with the support provided to her and her enterprise by the DA and local government units of Mountain Province. Moving forward, she plans to integrate stingless bees for pollination to her enterprise using her financial grant. “Hinihikayat ko po ang mga kabataang gustong subukang pumasok sa agripreneurship na try and try lang, doon ninyo makikita kung ano ang gusto at kakayahan ninyo. Dahil kapag hindi niyo sinubukan, hindi niyo malalaman kung hanggang saan ang kaya ninyo,” she expressed.

On the other hand, Jomarie Mangeg of Buguias, Benguet also braved the YFC Competition and was recognized as one of the Top 15 National Finalists under the Upscale Component, with her MAFAMCI Agri-products enterprise.// Cy-j E. Waytan
📸 CEWaytan, RRCobebe, ADLAlalag, MCBangao
DA-CAR Press Release No.25-140
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