In many rural communities, the faces tending the fields are growing older, while fewer young people are choosing to follow in their parents’ footsteps. As agriculture grapples with an aging farming population, empowering the next generation of young farmers has become essential—not only to secure the future of the country’s food systems, but also to cultivate a new breed of agripreneurs and community leaders who will shape the future of Philippine agriculture.
Recognizing this potential, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 conducted a two-day Capacity Development Training for Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs) on July 23–24, 2026, equipping primarily Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) beneficiaries and 4-H Club members with the knowledge, skills, and institutional capacity needed to become active partners in delivering agricultural extension services while transforming their organizations into sustainable, income-generating agricultural enterprises.
With the majority of participating organizations composed of young farmers, the training underscored the vital role of youth in sustaining the country’s agricultural sector. Beyond encouraging them to remain in farming, DA-RFO 8 seeks to develop a new generation of agripreneurs—young agricultural leaders who can organize thriving enterprises, create economic opportunities for fellow farmers, and serve as effective channels for disseminating government technologies, innovations, and extension services at the grassroots.
As part of the training, representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) oriented participants on the process of organizing and registering a cooperative. The session emphasized that formalizing their organizations strengthens their institutional foundation, enables them to mobilize members more effectively, and positions them as credible partners in implementing agricultural programs while laying the foundation for sustainable enterprise development.
Representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) discussed the requirements for tax registration and the responsibilities of agricultural cooperatives as registered enterprises. Participants gained a better understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements needed to operate legitimate, sustainable, and income-generating organizations capable of expanding market opportunities and delivering lasting economic benefits to their members.
Meanwhile, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) introduced opportunities for young farmers to participate in international internship and exchange programs that provide exposure to modern farming technologies, innovative agricultural practices, and global farming experiences.
To prepare participants for the realities of erratic agro-climatic conditions in the Philippines, representatives from the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program conducted a session on Climate-Resilient Agriculture.
Participants explored practical adaptation strategies and decision-support tools, including the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) Maps, enabling them to make informed farming decisions and build climate-resilient agricultural enterprises.
Lastly, JCI Tanauan Pasaka conducted a session on leadership development and parliamentary procedures, equipping participants with essential leadership competencies and effective meeting management skills. The training aims to foster more organized decision-making, encourage active member participation, and develop a new generation of leaders capable of steering their organization toward sustainable development.
Through the capability development training, DA-RFO 8 continues to invest in young farmer-leaders as indispensable partners in agricultural extension. By strengthening youth-led rural organizations with technical knowledge, organizational competence, entrepreneurial skills, and institutional credibility, the agency aims to cultivate a new generation of agripreneurs who not only build profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises but also champion innovation, extend government programs, and inspire more young Filipinos to become active contributors to the transformation of Philippine agriculture.