In support of Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s advocacy to modernize Philippine agriculture by engaging youth in agribusiness, and in response to the challenges brought by the quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) is digitizing the implementation of the Kapital Access for Young Agriprenuers (KAYA) loan program by utilizing online tools to facilitate the application and orientation of its target beneficiaries.

The KAYA loan program offers zero-interest loans of up to Php 500,000 payable in five (5) years for young agripreneurs, specifically those who are 18 to 30 years old, and are graduates of either formal or non-formal schooling (including but not limited to graduates of agriculture and fishery related degrees from higher education institutions, DA and ATI-accredited programs, TESDA programs, farm schools, and secondary schools with agriculture and fishery-related courses).

The program, which was launched by Secretary Dar earlier this year, seeks to entice and empower the youth to venture into agriculture as startup business owners, offering not only loans but also workshops and mentorship sessions, which are now being done through web conferencing.

The DA-ACPC’s KAYA Program Management Office (PMO) conducted the First Online KAYA Loan Program Orientation for the first batch of potential Young Agripreneurs (“Yaggies”) from the province of Bukidnon in May through web conferencing, and has since facilitated orientations and online sessions on Business Plan Preparation and Business Model Canvas Workshops for applicants in Regions 7, 8, 9, 10 and BARMM.

Online platforms were utilized for the submission of requirements, including the applicants’ simple business plan, and mentoring sessions were carried out through break-out groups with the KAYA Team members as mentors/coaches to the participating Yaggies. This first batch of Yaggies, with ages ranging from 21 to 30 years old, expressed excitement over the opportunity to materialize their business ideas through the program’s financial and technical assistance.

As government agencies and businesses adapt to the ‘new normal’ in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DA-ACPC continues to update its processes to deliver its credit schemes and services to farmers and fishers in more innovative ways towards the true modernization, revitalization, and empowerment of youth in the agriculture sector.

Kayang KAYA Mo Na! KAYA KOnnect Na!Those interested may access our application form through this link: https://bit.ly/ACPCloans

(DA-ACPC KAYA Program Management Office & Communications and Public Affairs Division)