CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela – The Youth Agri Kitchen of the College of Business Education at the University of La Salette, Inc. has been awarded one of the top prizes in the provincial level of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Start-Up Provincial Search for Most Outstanding Business Model.  The team composed of 4th year BSBA major in Marketing Management stuents namely Nino Angelo S. Arcanggel, Aian Chris D. Gadingan and Jelmar Llyod Jismon A. Dela Cruz will receive a grant of P80,000 to help launch their agricultural business and will have the opportunity to present their business model canvas at the regional level of the competition.

The ULS Lettuce Chips project was among 33 winning entries at the provincial level.  The competition showcased business models in production, processing (food and non-food), and digital agriculture.  Participants were assessed on entrepreneurial attributes, innovativeness, revenue generation  potential, value addition, and social responsibility.

Forty-nine Business Model Canvases (BMC) were evaluated by a panel of judges representing the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), state universities, and the private sector.  The young farmer applicants were assessed on several criteria, including entrepreneurial attributes, innovativeness, revenue generation potential, value addition, and social responsibility.  Business models spanned various categories, from production and processing (both food and non-food) to digital agriculture.

The competition provided a platform for young agripreneurs to not only showcase their ideas but also to gain valuable mentorship and networking opportunities with industry experts.  A total of 33 young farmers were recognized at the provincial level, each receiving an P80,000 grant.  Those advancing to the regional level will compete for an additional P150,000 in funding.

The YFC Program aims to support promising business models that can contribute to the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector.  The program provides financial assistance to profitable agribusiness proposals and offers ongoing business development support.

The awarding ceremony will take place on the month of April 2025 at the DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center in San Felipe, City of Ilagan, Isabela.