₱5.5M Granted for Caraga Agro-Fishery Projects

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has given a total amount of ₱5.5 million as starting capital for micro agro-fishery enterprises that were pitched by groups and individuals in the Caraga Region.

A total of 75 awardees from Caraga region’s five provinces received this funding through the DA’s 2nd Young Farmers Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz Competitive Grant Assistance Program held at the VCDU Convention Center in Butuan City last August 22.

Assistance Chief of the DA-Caraga Agribusiness and Marketing, Ms.Lynn A. Pareñas stated that the successful awardees are 40 individuals and 35 groups.

The beneficiaries will receive a financial grant worth ₱50,000 for the individuals and ₱100,000 for the groups. All in all, the 75 beneficiaries in the region will receive a total of ₱5.5 million in funding.

Acting Director for Operations, Rebecca R. Atega has mentioned that this program of the DA was supported by the office of Senator Imee Marcos in an effort to encourage aspiring youth to pursue agri-fishery-based enterprises centered on processing, production, and supply chain marketing.

Atega has told the awardees to sustain their starting businesses by saying “I hope you will pursue a more profitable agribusiness to help our country. Agriculture is the solution to ensuring that the country will have access to safe, affordable, and available food. We are here to support you for you to become agripreneurs,”

Aside from receiving capital grants, the awardees also advanced to the regional level.

The program also provided an opportunity to search for business and projects that have the potential to evolve into working projects. The proposals all have details of financial expenditures for the project.

Source: Business Mirror