Some youths from Central Visayas, who were Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) awardees were linked to the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Metro Cebu Uptown in today’s (February 11, 2025) YFC Program Business Networking, held at a venue in Cebu City. Facilitated by the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), of the 28 YFC attendees, six (6) YFCs awardees from 2021 to 2023, who are already for scale-up presented their agri-business ventures to the JCI representatives, namely, Joshua Ouano Dizon (JCI President), Kurt Daniel Amores (Vice President for Community), Angelo Vello (Director for Community), RJ Rockwell (Treasurer), Michael Romero, and Melchizedek Durano Jr. This business networking will foster collaboration and business opportunities to these young agri-preneurs. Through virtual, DA7 Regional Executive Director Director Angel C. Enriquez extended her gratitude to JCI Cebu for inviting the Agriculture Secretary in their upcoming activity. She added the importance of engaging the youth in agriculture, highlighting the public-private collaborations to boost the agri sector. “Every conversation here has the potential to spark a collaboration that could change the future,” Director Enriquez said. DA7 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Engr. Cirilo Namoc acknowledged the resilience and innovativeness of the young farmers, describing their business ventures as “very inspiring for everyone.” JCI Dizon thanked the young farmers for their dedication, reaffirming of JCI’s commitment on community service, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurship. “We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of our chapter and exploring agripreneurial business opportunities. This marks our first agripreneurial venture, and we look forward to its growth,” he said. Among the YFC who presented their agri-business ventures were Ed Paul Abil of Ed’s Farm from Sibulan, Negros Oriental; Sean Raphael Dumangog of Shann’s Cacao Products Manufacturing from Calape, Bohol; Marciano D. Tangpos of Goat Terminal Hub from Barili, Cebu; Harold Olimba of Greenline Farming Tech from Bogo City, Cebu; John Dave Tañola of Apis Prince Honeybee Farm from Taptap, Cebu City; and Rogeliano Cenita of GOT Vegetable Farm in Inabanga, Bohol. In the Question and Answer (Q&A) session, young farmers and industry leaders tackled critical agriculture challenges and opportunities, to include Land Conversion & Aging Farmers – Addressing the impact of urbanization and workforce decline, Climate Change & Technology – Importance of smart farming, storage facilities, and hydroponic forage for livestock, Biosecurity in Livestock Farming – Managing threats like Q fever and LGU intervention, Personal Motivation & Purpose – Farmers shared their passion for sustainability and community service, Financial Management for Startups – Emphasis on cash flow, operational efficiency, and practicing delayed gratification. Joseph Rommel Bascar, DA7’s Legal Unit, presented the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining the responsibilities of both parties, that a separate Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and contract, which will be formally presented on February 22, 2025, while Dr. Melquiades Ibarra, DA7’s Admin and Finance Division Chief, expressed his gratitude to the young farmers and JCI for the success of the event, as this aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This undertaking with JCI Metro Cebu Uptown and DA7 is a model of public-private cooperation, which can be replicated in other regions to empower young farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector as it bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern agribusiness innovations.