Young Farmers and Agripreneurs Act

Ellior of top e • 19 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 21 P1:44 SENATE RECOVED S. No. 744 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROMOTING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS, ESTABLISHING YOUNG FARMERS AND AGRIPRENEURS SUPPORT PROGRAM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Under the 1987 Constitution, the State shall recognize the right of farmers farmworkers, and landowners, as well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to participate in the planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, yet it faces a long-standing crisis which is the rapid aging of its workforce. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the average age of Filipino farmers ranges from 55 years old to 59 years old. Experts predict the Philippines will face a critical shortage of farmers in ten to twelve years.! This aging population, coupled with a declining interest in farming among younger generations, endangers national food security and long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector. To address this concern, the DA launched the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program in 2021. The YFC provides competitive grants to youth-led agribusiness ' Aging farmers could add to food insecurity: https://www.searca.org/press/aging-farmers-could-add-food- insecurity#:~:text=With%20the%20average%20age%20of,sufficiency%20but%20also%20food%20security.

proposals, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector. 2 While impactful, the program remains budget-dependent and administratively limited to DA-led implementation, leaving significant room for institutional strengthening and cross-sectoral support. This bill builds upon and expands the foundation laid by the Young Farmers Challenge Program. It seeks to institutionalize and national support framework that not only sustains but also scales up youth engagement in agriculture. This measure establishes the Young Farmers and Agri-preneurs Support Program (YFASP) which will be led by the DA, in collaboration with the DTI, DOST, SUCs, and LGUs. Once enacted, the program will offer a comprehensive support package including start-up grants or loans, training and mentorship, agri-tech incubation, shared facilities and infrastructure, and access to markets. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO 2 Govt supports budding agripreneurs through the Young Farmers Challenge program: https://www.da.gov.ph/govt-supports-budding-agripreneurs-through-the-young-farmers-challenge-program/

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 21 P1:44 SENATE RECEITFUN 1744 S. No.. Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito PROMOTING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS, ESTABLISHING YOUNG FARMERS AND AGRIPRENEURS SUPPORT PROGRAM, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Young Farmers and Agri-

preneurs Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. - It is the policy of the State

4 to promote sustainable agriculture and food security by encouraging youth 5 participation in farming and agribusiness. The State shall provide support to 6 agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, 7 production, marketing, and other support services to further empower young Filipinos 8 engage in agriculture as a viable and competitive career path.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Young Farmers/Agri-preneur - Any Filipino citizen aged eighteen (18) to thirty-five (35) years of age engaged or intending to engage in agriculture or agribusiness. (b) Agri-preneurship - The practice of entrepreneurship in the context of agriculture, including but not limited to crop production, livestock, fisheries, agro-processing, and value chain enterprises. (c) Agribusiness - encompasses the economic sector for farming and farming-related commerce. This includes all business activities involved

in production, processing, distribution, marketing, and retail of agricultural goods and services. (d) Eligible Projects - refers to agricultural or agribusiness ventures that demonstrate viability, sustainability, and potential for community-level impact, including but not limited to start-ups in production, processing, digital agriculture, and supply chain solutions.

Sec. 4. Creation of the Young Farmers and Agri-preneurs Support Program

(IFASP) - There is hereby established a Young Farmers and Agri-preneurs Support Program, that shall support and empower the young farmers to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and modernization. The YFASP shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage in activities related to agriculture, ensure their participation in policy formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector, and provide institutional support for agri-business and agri- entrepreneurship initiatives of the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for development. The YASP shall be established under the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Government units (LUs), and private sector partners.

Sec. 5. Components of Young Farmers and Agri-preneurs Support Program

(YFASP) - The YFASP shall consist of the following components: (a) Start-Up Grants and Loans - provision of seed capital, zero-interest micro- loans, or conditional grants to qualified young farmers and agri-preneurs. (b) Capacity Building and Mentorship - training programs, apprenticeships, and mentorships on agri-tech, sustainable practices, financial literacy, and marketing. (c) Access to Markets - assistance in accessing public and private markets, product certification, digital platforms, and government procurement programs. (d) Shared Facilities and Infrastructure Support - access to government-funded facilities such as post-harvest centers, cold storage, irrigation systems, and farm equipment.

(e) Agritech Innovation and Incubation - support for partnerships between young agri-preneurs and incubators in SUCS, DOST and private institutions to foster innovation.

Sec. 6. Program Implementation and Monitoring. - The DA, through the

5 Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), shall lead the implementation of the YFASP. A 6 Program Management Committee (PMC) composed of representatives from DA, DTI, 7 DOST, SUCS, and youth organizations shall oversee the evaluation, approval, monitoring, and impact assessment of funded projects.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of

10 this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The program may also receive funding from donations, official development assistance, and other lawful sources.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the DA shall, in consultation with DTI, DOST, SUCs, LGUs, and 15 youth organizations, promulgate the IRR necessary to implement the provisions of this 16 Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum

orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or 23 modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation. Approved,