Just as ube is taking the world by storm, a young farmer from Ormoc City has risen to the top when his ube enterprise conquered the national stage of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program.

During the YFC Season 5 National Awarding Ceremony held in Iloilo City last week, James T. Tan was hailed as one of the national winners under the Startup Category (Production), receiving an additional grant of P300,000.00 for his ube production.

His agribusiness venture, Purple Roots, aims to tap into market opportunities for ube (purple yam), such as the demand for raw materials from the ube processing facility in Leyte. He also intends to supply quality planting materials to help local farmers benefit from the enterprise. Along with that, his advocacy as an organic-certified farmer would remain since his adoption of organic farming methods contributes to preserving the unique purple coloration of his ube products.

In qualifying for the YFC Program both at the provincial and regional level last year, Purple Roots received financial grant totaling to P230,000 intended for farm establishment, now planted with around 1,700 ube seedlings.

“I am very thankful to YFC for giving me this opportunity. This achievement is not just for me but for the young farmers of Eastern Visayas. This will open more market for my product, as well as contribute to the development of ube in the region,” James said.

In addition to Purple Roots, the region successfully fielded other national finalists, including EcoSmart Propagator by Reian Laniba from Baybay City (Startup – Digital Agriculture), Banika Farm led by Rey Mark Alfante from Hilongos, Leyte (Upscale), and GrainVista Café represented by Aliana Maria Akala, Marnette Jane Constantino, and Dimple Mae Go from Eastern Visayas State University (Intercollegiate). The opportunity provided valuable experience and demonstrated the promising future available to young agri-preneurs.

Similarly, past regional winners, namely Dino Mirafuentes of Ugmad Ani Integrated Farm, Sarah Dizor of Dizor Duck Farm, and Christian Lapeciros of Project FAITH Upgraded Native Chicken Farm participated during the business conference of the said event, gaining valuable new insights from prominent business leaders in the country.

Since its implementation started in 2021, the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program of the Department of Agriculture has empowered the youth to establish and manage their own agribusinesses through financial grants and technical supports, producing around 5,000 youth beneficiaries.

Said program also ensured local food system by empowering youth to transform traditional farming practices into profitable, climate-resilient agribusiness projects through innovation and continuous mentorship.

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) here has started accepting applications for the startup category of this year’s competition. Under this component, 48 youth enterprises will be selected, each receiving an initial grant of P80,000.

For youth who will venture in agriculture, his advice: “Padayon lang. Start with what you have, even if it is small. Farming is not easy, but it is worth it.”

“Keep learning, keep trying new ideas, and don’t be afraid to fail. Support each other because we grow stronger together. Kung kinaya ko, kaya niyo rin,” James added.