GOVERNMENT POLICY AND PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE— INITIATIVES OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM (NOAP) OF THE PHILIPPINES
Director Bernadette F. San Juan, CESO II
National Organic Agriculture Program – National Program Coordinating Office
Department of Agriculture
CONTENTS
A Global Challenge: Aging Farmers
The Philippine Situation
Median age of Filipino farmers (2022 CAF): 49.7 years�
Youth Disinterest in Farming
NOAP’s Response: The Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA)
A strategic program to attract, train, and empower youth toward profitable organic farming and long-term food security.
b. Key Features of YIPOA
1. Interest-Based Farm Deployment
Interns are assigned to farms aligned with their preferred commodities and planned projects.
2. Long, Hands-On Training (21 Months)
3. Substantial Start-Up Capital
4. Strong Farm Mentor Partnerships
Interns train in real farms, gaining practical experience while supporting farm mentors with additional labor.
5. Virtual Community of Young Farmers
A digital support network that boosts morale, encourages collaboration, and sustains engagement.
6. Additional Government Support
After completing the internship:
7. Continuous Monitoring and Supervision
Regular oversight by farm mentors, DA OA focal persons, and training centers ensures quality implementation and early intervention when needed.
c. Implementation Outcomes
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c. Implementation Outcomes
Out of 445 interns, 294 are male (66.1%) and 142 are female (33.9%), reflecting the continued male dominance in the agriculture sector.
However, the rising number of female interns signals a positive shift toward greater inclusivity and women’s active participation in organic farming.
c. Implementation Outcomes
In terms of educational background, 272 interns (61.1%) are Out-of-School Youth, while 173 (38.9%) are degree holders.
The large proportion of OSY highlights the program’s vital role in providing livelihood opportunities and practical training for youth outside formal education.
Meanwhile, the strong participation of degree holders shows that organic agriculture is also drawing degree holders who recognize its potential as a viable and meaningful career.
c. Implementation Outcomes
The data covers two batches from 2023 and 2024, as the third batch remains in training.
In 2023, the total production area reached 92.13 hectares. By 2024, this increased to 123.49 hectares, reflecting a growth of about 32.5%. Combined, YIPOA interns managed a total of 215.62 hectares of organic or natural production area across the two years.
92.13 ha
123.49 ha
215.62 ha
c. Implementation Outcomes
High-Value Crops (36 enterprises) and Integrated Farming (34 enterprises) are the most common commodities, indicating that many young farmers prefer diversified, market-oriented systems that offer higher income potential, year-round production, and greater resilience to market and climate risks.
In contrast, Fisheries and Beekeeping each have only one enterprise, reflecting the lowest participation. This may be due to higher technical requirements, limited access to water bodies or apiary equipment, and the need for specialized skills and facilities.
YIPOA Graduate Testimony
Mr. Dino M. Mirafuentes
YIPOA Batch 1 Graduate,
Owner of Ugmad Ani Integrated Farms, Ormoc City, Leyte
YIPOA Graduate Testimony
Ms. Karen Joy P. Baja
YIPOA Batch 1 Graduate,
Owner of Organic Let’Us Farm, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental
d. Ways Forward
Scaling Up
Stronger Community Integration
Launch of the 5Ks Program (2026)
Kababaihan at Kabataan Para sa Kalusugan, Kalikasan at Kabuhayan� (“Women and Youth for Health, Environment, and Livelihood”)
Conclusion:
YIPOA is not only an internship. It is a transformative pathway for young Filipinos to become organic farmers, agripreneurs, and sustainability advocates.
By equipping the youth with knowledge, capital, mentorship, and community, NOAP is cultivating not just farms, but futures grounded in purpose, productivity, and hope.
THANK YOU MGA KA-OA!
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