ERICSON M. GUIAO
MAGALANG, PAMPANGA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar vowed to support individuals, public and private institutions in their agriculture and agri-business venture through the soon-to-be-launched Agri-Business Incubation Program.
According to Secretary Dar, the said program is one of the three farming programs that he advocates to offer to individuals, especially to the youth, to encourage them to engage in such agricultural endeavor, and to benefit the farming and fishery sectors as well.
“Before even becoming the Secretary of Agriculture, I was already advocating a good number of programs because I want the millennials to go back to agriculture doing farming and go back to agricultural business,” Dar said.
“To all who have good agricultural business ideas or proposals but don’t have financial support for these ideas, this program is a great opportunity to make those ideas translated or converted into products – products that can support the agriculture sector and agri-business,” he added.
Moreover, Dar said that the DA is on the final stage of putting up the guidelines for the Agri-Business Incubation Program and there is already a budget allocated for it.
“We have put together a funding within the Department of Agriculture worth 500 million for the Agri-Business Incubation Program. And the congress was so kind to give additional 8 million pesos on top of what is in the national expenditure program,” he said.
Secretary Dar made it clear that the program is not a loan but rather a grant to be given to public and private institutions that provide Agri-Business programs. He said that these institutions will serve as mentors to guide and assist people with agri-business ideas.
“So, please bear in mind, we from the DA will be your partners to make it possible. We are here to incubate, to give you support to go to farming and agribusiness, and we are here to scale up your farming activities and agri-business endeavors,” he said to students in the university.
This was gleaned during his visit in Pampanga State Agriculture University (PSAU), here, to serve as the guest of honor and speaker in the university’s 5th anniversary celebration. Prior to that, he also led the inauguration of four newly constructed buildings and facilities of the university which were funded by the department.
Meanwhile, Secretary Dar lauded the university for its steadfast support and partnership to the programs of the DA, expressing hopes that the kind of partnership it has with the university is “replicated in other regions as well.”
AGRI-BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAM. Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar introduced the program that would provide financial grant to those with agri-business ideas.
