Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila E oare.O4 see ons
+ TIME]:
‘Twentieth Congress \e ay

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4331

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING FILIPINO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUTH
AGRICULTURAL HUBS, AGRIPRENEURSHIP TRADE FAIRS, AND MULTI-
AGENCY SUPPORT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines is facing a demographic and structural challenge in agriculture. In July
2024, 1.02 million Filipino youth were unemployed, an increase of 172,000 from the previous
year. At the same time, the average age of farmers remains between 55 to 57 years old, raising
concerns about generational succession in agriculture and food security. Experts warn that the
country could face a critical shortage of farmers within the next 10 to 12 years.

Despite agriculture employing nearly one-fourth of the national labor force, fishermen
and farmers consistently record the highest poverty incidence among basic sectors. Many
young Filipinos in rural areas remain unemployed, underemployed, or migrate to urban centers
for limited opportunities. Traditional farming practices are fading, and the skills and creativity
of rural youth are underutilized.

To reverse this trend, agriculture must be repositioned as a profitable and innovative
venture, Making farming and fisheries attractive to young people requires investments in
agripreneurship, value-adding activities, and the promotion of high-value crops and enterprises
with both domestic and export potential, such as cacao, coffee, cassava, palm, rubber, and
aquaculture.

Education and training are crucial. Curricula at all levels must be updated to emphasize
modem agriculture, biotechnology, food technology, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness. Youth
must also be given access to financing, markets, and mentorship to build successful enterprises.

This proposed measure, to be known as the Young Agripreneurs Act, seeks to:


1. Establish Youth Agricultural Hubs in provinces, highly urbanized cities, and
municipalities to provide training, incubation, and mentoring in agriculture and
agribusiness;

2. Promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship training for youth, linked with
government financing facilities such as Land Bank, ACPC’s Kapital Access for Young
Agripreneurs (KAYA) Program, and credit windows under the Sagip Saka Act (RA
11321);

3. Institutionalize Youth Agriprencurship Trade Fairs at provincial, regional, and national
levels to showcase products, pitch projects, and award outstanding youth-led initiatives;

4. Require multi-agency convergence, with DA as lead, in partnership with DAR, DTI,
TESDA, DepEd, CHED, NYC, and other agencies to align training, technology
support, and market linkages;

5. Mandate LGUs to allocate resources for hubs from their development funds while
enabling them to tap GAD budgets, agri-fisheries modernization funds, and
partnerships with the private sector; and

6. Ensure integration of youth agripreneurship in national databases such as the Registry
System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) for planning and targeting.

By linking education, financing, and enterprise development, this measure empowers
the Filipino youth as the next generation of farmers, fisherfolk, and agripreneurs. It not only
addresses youth unemployment but also ensures food security and rural transformation.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 433 1

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING FILIPINO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUTH
AGRICULTURAL HUBS, AGRIPRENEURSHIP TRADE FAIRS, AND MULTI-
AGENCY SUPPORT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Young Agripreneurs Act.”

SEC. 2. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all provinces, highly urbanized cities, and
municipalities.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act:

(a) Youth shall refer to citizens aged 15 to 30 years old, as defined in Republic Act No.
8044 or the “Youth in Nation-Building Act”;

(b) Agripreneur shall refer to a youth who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks
of an enterprise in agriculture or fisheries, including related services and value-adding
activities; and

(©) Youth Agricultural Hub shall refer to a center established at the provincial, city, or
municipal level providing training, mentoring, incubation, access to financing, and
market linkages for youth agripreneurs.

SEC. 4. Rationale. All provincial and city governments are mandated to establish Youth
Agricultural Hubs that will guide and support young people by providing opportunities for
training, incubation, financing, and enterprise development in agriculture and fisheries.


SEC. 5. Creation of Youth Agricultural Hubs.

(a) Provincial governments shall conduct an assessment to determine the placement of
Youth Agricultural Hubs. Highly urbanized cities shall establish at least one hub within
their jurisdiction. Municipalities with sufficient resources may establish their own hubs,
consistent with Section 9 of this Act on funding.

(b) Cities and municipalities shall encourage partnerships with government agencies,
cooperatives, academe, and the private sector for hub operations.

(c) The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its regional offices, shall exercise
oversight functions and designate personnel to support the Youth Agricultural Hubs.

SEC. 6. Functions of the Youth Agricultural Hubs. The hubs shall:

(a) Facilitate trainings for youth on agriculture, financial literacy, agribusiness, and
entrepreneurship, in partnership with TESDA, DA-ATI, CHED, and DepEd;

(b) Serve as venues for research, incubation, and demonstration farming;

(6) Establish partnerships with government agencies, local government units (LGUs),
non-government organizations, civil society, and the private sector;

(d) Facilitate applications for financial assistance and referrals to credit windows such
as the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) KAYA Program, Land Bank of the
Philippines, and facilities under the Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321);

(e) Monitor implementation and evaluate youth agripreneurship projects;
(f) Prepare and submit progress reports to LGUs and DA regional offices; and

(g) Organize programs and activities to promote youth engagement in agriculture and
fisheries.

SEC. 7. Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fairs, A series of youth agripreneurship trade
fairs shall be held annually to showcase products, services, and enterprises developed by youth
agripreneurs.

(a) Schedule: Provincial fairs every September; Regional fairs every October; and a
National fair every November.

(b) Events: Project pitching competitions; Recognition and awards for outstanding
youth-led agricultural enterprises and programs; and other youth-related agricultural
activities.

SEC. 8. Coordinating Agencies. The following agencies shall provide support for the
implementation of this Act: Department of Agriculture (DA); Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of Science and Technology
(DOST); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), particularly the Sustainable Livelihood Program;


Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Department of Education
(DepEd); Commission on Higher Education (CHED); National Youth Commission (NYC);
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA); National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); and the National Council on
Disability Affairs (NCDA).

SEC. 9. Appropriations. Local government units shall allocate not less than three
percent (3%) of their development funds for the establishment and maintenance of Youth
Agricultural Hubs. LGUs may also utilize Gender and Development (GAD) budgets,
agricultural modernization funds, and partnerships with the private sector and cooperatives to
augment resources for youth agripreneurship.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the National Youth
Commission and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations.

SEC. I1. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,