TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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• i;iY
25 JUL 21 m :25
SENATE
S. No. 719
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF YOUNG FARMERS
The Philippines has been experiencing significant challenges to food security; 
hence, it has been depending on agricultural imports to ensure sufficient food to meet 
the demands of a growing population. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority 
(PSA)1, in 2024 the total agricultural imports was valued at $19.46 billion which is 71.5 
percent of the total agricultural trade.
The Magna Carta of Young Farmers aims to address the needs of young farmers 
and safeguard their rights. It is more important than ever since there has been a 
steady increase in the number of employed persons in agriculture, forestry and fishing 
(AFF). According to the PSA2, there are 11.19 million employed in AFF in 2023, a 3.3 
percent increase from 10.66 million persons in 2022.
Through the creation of the Young Farmers Council and the National Young 
Farmers Roadmap, these initiatives will ensure that young farmers become a primary 
focus for the formulation and implementation of national policies and programs that 
empower them. Moreover, the bill reinforces that the State shall guarantee equal 
access to technology, credit, and capital. This bill prioritizes the land rights of young 
farmers by guaranteeing improved access to low-cost farmland. Furthermore, this bill
1 PSA, International Merchandise Trade Statistics of the Philippines for Agricultural Commodities, 2024
2 PSA, 2024 Employment and wages in agriculture and fishing. Agriculture and Fisheries Indicators 
System (ARS)


seeks to provide them with opportunities to become more competitive through 
assistance in farm planning and management and access to market spaces. To uphold 
the rights of young farmers against discrimination and violence, young farmers shall 
be ensured access to free legal services.
The Magna Carta of Young Farmers aims to institutionalize mechanisms and 
policies that address the challenges faced by young farmers. This is crucial to fulfilling 
our state's commitment to honor the critical role that farmers play in ensuring food 
security or the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
FRANCIS 1^
GILINAN
Senatdl


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
On rr
25 JUL21 AlO -25
SENATE 
S. No. 719
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Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF YOUNG FARMERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as 'The Magna Carta of 
Young Farmers".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The state recognizes the economic, political, 
and sociocultural realities affecting young farmers' current condition and affirms the 
role of young farmers in nation-building and attaining environmental sustainability and 
food sufficiency. It shall endeavor to develop plans, policies, programs, measures, 
and mechanisms to ensure young farmers' empowerment, productivity, and 
competitiveness in local and international trade.
The State recognizes young farmers as supplemental income earners on the 
family farms playing a major role in augmenting their family's proceeds. Doing so 
entails working odd jobs to sustain the family's source of income most especially in 
non-harvesting seasons;
The State acknowledges the invaluable role of young farmers who are present 
in the value chain process starting from production, to processing, to value-adding up 
to marketing;
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The State recognizes the role of young farmers as eco-warriors and staunch 
advocates of environmental protection; and,
The State recognizes the indispensable contribution of young farmers to the 
overall food security and national economy.
Towards this end, the State reaffirms the right of young farmers as a separate 
basic sector with its own distinct rights and responsibilities to participate in policy 
formulation, planning, organization, implementation, management, monitoring, and 
evaluation of all programs, projects, and services targeting young farmers as 
stakeholders.
Further, it shall establish mechanisms for the promotion and protection of 
young farmers' rights.
CHAPTER II 
Definition of Terms
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a) Agricuiture refers to the prudent endeavor of cultivating plants and animals 
which includes the tillage of the soil, dairy, production, cultivation, growing, 
and harvesting of any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural 
commodities, the growing and harvesting of forest products upon forest 
lands, the raising of livestock including horses, the keeping of horses as a 
commercial enterprise, the keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle and 
other domesticated animals used for food purposes and any forestry or 
lumbering operations, performed by a farmer;
b) Farm work refers to the land cultivation and tillage, dairying, production, 
growing, harvesting, plowing, planting, application of fertilizers, and farm 
supervision performed by an individual or a group of people;
c) Discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has 
the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, 
or exercise by young farmers, irrespective of their age, status, or income, 
on a basis of equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the 
political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field. It includes any 
act or omission, including by law, policy, administrative measure, or practice, 
that directly or indirectly excludes or restricts young farmers in the
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recognition and promotion of their rights and their access to and enjoyment 
of opportunities, benefits, or privileges. A measure or practice of general 
application is discrimination against young farmers if it fails to provide for a 
mechanism to offset or address the disadvantages or limitations of young 
farmers, as a result of which they are denied or restricted in the recognition 
and protection of their rights and in their access to and enjoyment of 
opportunities, benefits, or privileges: Provided, That discrimination 
compounded by or intersecting with other grounds, status, or condition, such 
as ethnicity, age, poverty, or religion shall be considered discrimination 
against young farmers under this Act;
d) Eco-warrior to the staunch advocates of environmental protection and 
practitioners of sustainable farming;
e) Food Security refers to the condition in which all people, at all times, have 
physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food 
that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy 
life (as defined by the United Nations Committee on World Food Security);
f) Family Farming is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, 
pastoral, and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a 
family and predominantly reliant on family labor, including both women and 
men;
g) /.es5ee refers to a person who, by themselves, or with the aid available from 
within their immediate farm household, cultivates the land, belonging to or 
lawfully possessed by another, with the latter's consent, for purposes of 
agricultural production, for a price certain in money or in produce or both. 
The term is distinguished from a civil lessee as understood in the Civil Code 
of the Philippines;
h) Organic refe.rs to the particular farming and processing system, described in 
the standards and not in the classical chemical sense. The term "organic" is 
synonymous in other languages with "biological" or "ecological". It is also a 
labeling term that denoted products considered organic based on the 
Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture;


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i) Organic Agriculture refers to all agricultural systems that promote the 
ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable, and technically 
feasible production of food and fibers. Organic agriculture dramatically 
reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemical fertilizers, 
pesticides, and pharmaceuticais. It also covers areas such as, but is not 
limited to, soil fertility management, varietal breeding and selection under 
chemical and pesticide-free conditions, the use of biotechnology and other 
cultural practices that are consistent with the principles and policies of this 
Act, and enhance productivity without destroying the soil and harming 
fanners, consumers and the environment as defined by the International 
Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM): Provided, That the 
biotechnology herein referred to shail not include genetically modified 
organisms or GMOs;
j) Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs as 
defined by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and 
Deveiopment;
k) Tenant refers to a person who, themseives, or with the aid avaiiabie from 
within their immediate farm household, cultivates the land belonging to, or 
possessed by another, with the latter's consent for purposes of production, 
sharing the produce with the landhoider under the share tenancy system, or 
paying the iandholder a price certain or ascertainable in produce or in money 
or both, under the leasehoid tenancy system;
l) Young Farmer refers to an individual whose primary source of income comes 
from agriculture, with an age range of 15-35 years old, is owner, tenant, 
lessee, or worker of the land in which they personally cultivate and till
m) Red-tagging refers to the practice of the State of branding or malicious 
blacklisting of reguiar individuals or organizations criticai or not fully in 
support of the government— they could be branded as anti-government, 
insurgents, and members of the leftist groups.
CHAPTER III
Duties Related to the Rights of Young Farmers
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Sec. 4. State as Primary Duty-Bearer. - The State, as the primary duty bearer
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shall:
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a) Recognize, promote, and protect the rights of young farmers defined and
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guaranteed under this Act;
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b) Lead against the discrimination and coercion or violence, be physical, verbal,
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sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or cultural in nature of young
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farmers;
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c) Endorse farm products produced by young farmers for economic
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development nationwide;
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d) Promote and fulfill the rights of young farmers in ail aspects including but
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not limited to their rights to food security, education and training, access to
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land, social justice, employment, health services, and participation.
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The State shall take measures and establish mechanisms to promote the
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coherent and integrated implementation and enforcement of this Act and related laws,
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policies, or other measures to effectively recognize young farmers as a distinct basic
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sector, stop discrimination against young farmers and farming in general, and advance
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their rights and responsibilities.
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Sec. 5. Duties of State Agencies and Instrumentalities - The abovementioned
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duties of the State shall extend to all agencies, offices, and instrumentalities at all
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levels and government-owned and controlled corporations, subject to the Constitution
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and pertinent laws, policies, or administrative guidelines that define specific duties of
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state agencies and entities concerned.
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Sec. 6. Duties of Private Sector. - It is the duty of the private sector to support
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young farmers' agenda through social partnerships between people's organizations
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and industries. Private sectors are encouraged to assist in reform mechanisms and
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rural development initiatives which include livelihood strategies sensitive to the plight
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of young farmers, as part of their corporate social responsibility duties.
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Sec. 7. Non-Diminution of die Rights of the Young Farmers. - All other young
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farmers' rights and programs provided under existing laws shall remain in full force
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and effect: Provided, That it follows the definition of a young farmer as stated in this
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Act.


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CHAPTER IV
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Rights, Productivity, and Empowerment
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Sec. 8. Education and Training. - The State shall ensure equal access to quality
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education and training of young farmers and encourage partnership and linkage with
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state universities and colleges (SUCs) on information and technology transfer to young
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farmer individuals and organizations.
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a) Curriculum. - To ensure better quality education and training for young
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farmers and aspiring farmers, the following will be incorporated in curriculums:
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1. K to 12 High Schools offering Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE)
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Track with specialization in Agriculture-Fisheries Arts shall be required to create
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laboratories for agricultural science and technology researches.
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2. Climate Smart and Resilient Agriculture and Agricultural Laws and Farmers
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Rights shall be incorporated in both K to 12 and Tertiary Education Curriculum.
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b) Scholarship. - K to 12 students under TLE Track with specialization in
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Agriculture-Fisheries Arts shall be entitled to scholarship grants and incentives
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through the Department of Agriculture (DA) upon compliance with the conditions set
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by the department.
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c) Agricultural Training Service Extension. - Agricultural SUCs shall sen/e as an
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extension service provider for practical application, learning seminars, hands on
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training, and knowledge on technological advancements of young farmers'
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organizations and individuals through the proper facilitation of the Department of
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Agriculture (DA).
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Sec. 9. Right to Resources for Food Production. — The State shall guarantee
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young farmers' vital role in food production and food security by prioritizing their rights
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to access technology, credit, and capital. It shall ensure that young farmers are
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provided with the following:
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a) Equal access to support for farm inputs and agricultural tools;
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b) Equal access to farm technologies and mechanization;
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c) Ensure innovation, development, and proliferation of young farmer-friendly
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technologies and mechanization of agricultural production and processing;
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d) Equal access to formal sources of credit and capital including forms of clean
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loans and Mortgage, Redemption and Insurance (MRI); and,
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e) Equitable share of the produce of farms and aquatic resources.
Sec. 10. Access to Information. — Young farmers' access to information 
regarding policies, programs, projects, subsidies, and funding outlays that affect them, 
shall be ensured. The DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs), Provincial Agricultural Offices 
(PAOs), and Municipal Agricultural Offices (MAOs) shall endeavor the strengthening 
information dissemination of agricultural projects benefiting young farmers. Moreover, 
these offices shall offer assistance to farmers to access agricultural services offered 
whether offline or online.
Sec. 11. Right to farmland. —The land rights of young farmers shall be 
prioritized. In doing so, the State shall guarantee the following:
a) Improve access to low-cost farmland. — Create more flexibility within 
CARP/CARPER to allow land trusts to protect farmland quickly and facilitate a new 
farmer. The DAR shall also ensure to protect the affordability of conserved lands and 
ensure that it remains in farming.
b) Land Transfer Tax Exemptions. — Transactions including, but not limited to, 
purchase, inheritance, and donation of land, which is one (1) hectare and below, to 
young farmers, as defined under this Act, are hereby exempt from all taxes of 
whatever kind: Provided, however. That the beneficiary guarantees that the land will 
be kept and maintained by him or her for at least five (5) years.
c) Land and Farm Planning Management. —The Department of Agriculture (DA), 
together with the LGUs and other related agencies, shall provide full assistance to 
young farmers, from the national scale down to community levels as regards in farm 
planning and management to ensure maximum utilization, production, profitability, 
and sustainability of their farms. The department shall utilize the existence of Farmer 
Field Schools and Agricultural Extension Training Centres as learning sites to ensure 
full-scale assistance to young farmers.
Sec. 12. Access to Market Development Services. — The State shall guarantee 
the young farmers rights for market spaces, farm-to-market roads, and other 
mechanisms that will ensure that farm produce will reach the family table. In doing 
so, the state shall provide the following:
a) Establishment of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR). —The DA, DPWH, and LGU 
shall endeavor to hasten the creation of farm-to-market as per the Farm-to- Market
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Road Network Plan (FMRNP) and Comprehensive FMR National Master Plan 2020 to 
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b) Creation of a Provincial Market. —The DA Regional Office and the Governor's 
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cater to all registered farmers of the different municipalities of the province who wish 
to sell their farm produce.
c) Establishment of Municipal Cold Storage and Post-Harvest Facility. —The DA 
through the support of the LGU shall ensure the establishment of cold storage and 
post-harvest facilities that are accessible to the local farmers.
d) National Young Farmers Roadmap. —The DA through the National Young 
Farmers Council, including its attached agencies and corporations, in coordination with 
the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), National Commission on 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine Coconut 
Authority (PCA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Anti-Poverty 
Commission (NAPC) and all agricultural-related agencies attached under the Office of 
the President (OP) shall formulate and implement a National Young Farmers Plan 
within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the creation of the National Young 
Farmers Council. The roadmap shall serve as the convergence program of government 
line agencies to ensure the maximum role of young farmers in food security. It shall 
also present measures that will allocate a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally 
adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes self-reliance and 
social justice. The plan shall include the following:
Sec. 13. Environmental Protection. — DA, in partnership with DENR and DOST 
shall establish model farms that feature sustainable farming practices such as 
integrated and diverse organic farming systems, climate-smart and resilient 
agriculture, organic urban farming systems, and the like to serve as knowledge 
transfer and training institutions for young farmers and agricultural workers and 
provide an avenue for the active participation of young farmers in environmental 
protection and practice of sustainable farming.


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Sec. 14. Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Identity and Indigenous
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Farming Traditions. — The State shall respect, preserve and maintain knowledge,
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innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities of young farmers
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embodying traditional lifestyles relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of
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biological diversity. These shall be considered in the formulation and implementation
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of national policies and programs.
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Sec 15. Protection from Discrimination^ Red-tagging, and Violence. — The State
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shall ensure that all young farmers shall be protected from all forms of discrimination,
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red-tagging, and violence as provided for in existing laws. They shall be ensured
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access to free legal services from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).
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Sec. 16. Representation and Participation. — The State shall ensure young
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farmers' involvement in the planning and design stages of agri-food development
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projects 
from conceptualization to implementation. It shall also ensure the
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participation of young farmers in the decision-making and policy-making processes at
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regional, national, and international levels initiated by the government and private
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entities including but not limited to the National and Local Agrarian Reform Councils,
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National Organic Agricultural Board, National Youth Commission, and the National
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Anti-Poverty Commission to fully realize their roles as agents and partners for
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development.
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Sec. 17. Strengthen Young Farmer Organizations. — DA, together with DAR,
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DTI, DOST, NYC, DepEd, CHED, and CDA shall create a training module on
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organizational management and development specific to the sensitivity and needs of
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young farmer organizations within one hundred twenty (120) days upon the effectivity
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of this Act to assist and provide young farmer organizations capacity-building,
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organizational management and development schemes.
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CHAPTER V
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INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
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Sec. 18. Creation of the National Young Farmers Council. — There is hereby
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created the National Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Council which shall be attached to
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the DA. The Council shall have the following powers and functions:


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a) Formulate, recommend, and implement national policies, plans, programs,
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and guidelines to ensure young farmers' empowerment, productivity, and
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competitiveness in local and international trade.
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b) Support and assist the DA and relevant government agencies in building
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strong and harmonious partnerships with foreign counterparts and relevant
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agencies, non-government organizations, and civic groups in order to facilitate
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the implementation of strategies and programs for the protection and
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promotion of the rights and well-being of young farmers.
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c) Develop an online self-service portal for young farmers to access, apply for,
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and implement the different DA programs and services
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d) Establish Young Farmer Coordinators in each municipality to direct outreach
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and help young farmers access information on agricultural and fisheries
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programs and services.
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e) Spearhead the drafting and finalization of the National Young Farmer's
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Roadmap.
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Sec. 19. Farm Insurance. — Young Farmers shall automatically become
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members of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) as protection from
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losses of non-crop agricultural assets from force majeure.
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Sec. 20. Legal Protection on Negotiations and Trade Partnership Agreements. —
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The State shall ensure the provision of safeguard clauses for vulnerable, sensitive, and
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volatile sectors to preserve the family farming model of the Philippines.
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Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one-hundred twenty
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(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DA shall, in coordination with Philippine
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Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
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Resources (BFAR), DAR, DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd, CHED, NYC, and NAPC and with
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the participation of representatives from non-government organizations (NGO) and
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civil society groups with a proven track record of involvement and promotion of the
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rights and welfare of young farmers, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
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implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 22. Appropriation of Funds. — The amount necessary for implementing this
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Act shall be charged from the budget allocation of the DA including its attached
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agencies and corporations, DAR, DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd, CHED, and NAPC. Such
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amounts necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
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the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 23. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 25. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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