Agri dept digitizes youth loan program
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 P500,000 payable in five years for young agripreneurs, specifically those who are 18 to 30 years old. They should be graduates of either formal or nonformal schooling, including but not limited to graduates of agriculture- and fishery-related degrees from higher education institutions, DA-accredited programs, programs by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, farm schools, and secondary schools with agriculture and fishery-related courses.
The program, which was launched by Agriculture Secretary Willam 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 conducted the First Online KAYA Loan Program Orientation for the first batch of potential Young Agripreneurs or “Yaggies” from Bukidnon province in May through web conferencing. The agency has since facilitated orientations and online sessions on business plan preparation and business model canvas workshops for applicants in Regions 8, 9, 10, 12 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
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.
Those interested in the KAYA Program may access the application form at https://bit.ly/ACPCloans.