YOUNG Farmers' Challenge regional winner Ronald Paron, 26, from Canlaon City, has received P150,000 from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Paron is one of the three young farmers recognized by DA during the Young Farmers' Challenge Kabataang Agribiz Competition in an awarding ceremony in Cebu City.
The other regional winners of the said competition include Juliano Cumad, 29, from Poblacion, Asturias, Cebu; and Florencio Quintinita Jr., 26 from Malabuyoc, Cebu.
Each received a cash prize of P150,000 for their agri-business plans.
In a video production prepared by the Regional Agricultural Fisheries and Information Section, the winners detailed their plans of what they will do with the prize to improve their respective agricultural endeavors.
According to Ligaya Ebarita, focal of the Young Farmers' Challenge Kabataang Agribiz Competition, the contest is already institutionalized by DA Secretary William Dar during the national awarding in Manila last year.
Ebarita announced the enhancement of the program in 2022 to include the selection of 35 groups composed of two youths, 40 individual competitors, or a total of 75 winners at the provincial level and seven winners instead of just three at the regional level.
Proponent of the "Imeelunggay" program, Josephine Luym advanced malunggay planting among the young farmers who cited the huge local and international markets of the commodity.
Luym said she is willing to help them with the technical assistance for those who are willing to engage in the project.
The current price range of a kilo of malunggay is between P40 to P60 in Cebu.
The Young Farmers Challenge program hopes to address the lack of young farmers in the country by institutionalizing the said competition. (PIA)