LALA, LANAO DEL NORTE — Investing in young people means investing in the future of agriculture. Recognizing this, the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its Negosyo Center Business Counselors (NCBCs), launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP): "You Can Be Your Own Boss" (BYOB) to inspire young Filipinos to become entrepreneurs and leaders in the local agricultural sector.

Held from July 7–9, 2026, at JIKA Farm in Barangay Simpak, Lala, Lanao del Norte, the three-day boot camp officially launched the province's Youth Hub, welcoming 31 participants—13 young men and 18 young women—into the program.

More than a training activity, the initiative challenged participants to see agriculture as a field of opportunity rather than a last resort. Through hands-on learning and mentorship, the program encouraged them to build businesses that create value in their own communities instead of looking elsewhere for employment.

To support this journey, the NCBCs delivered a comprehensive 15-module entrepreneurship curriculum designed to help participants move from ideas to action. The training was organized into three learning phases:

1. Think – Participants developed an entrepreneurial mindset, explored local agricultural challenges, and identified business opportunities using human-centered design and market analysis.
2. Build – They transformed their ideas into practical business models by learning about business planning, operations, logistics, digital marketing, financial management, and the Business Model Canvas.
3. Pitch – The final phase focused on communication and presentation skills, equipping participants to confidently present their business ideas to mentors, potential investors, and development partners.

Each day of the boot camp built on the last. On the first day, participants crafted their business vision, mission, and goals while analyzing opportunities within local agricultural value chains. The second day centered on turning ideas into viable enterprises through business modeling and the BEST Game, an interactive simulation that challenged participants to make business decisions in a dynamic market environment. On the final day, participants showcased their business concepts through formal pitch presentations before mentors and resource persons, culminating in their official enrollment into the regional Youth Hub network.

The successful implementation of the YEP-BYOB boot camp represents an important step toward building a new generation of agri-preneurs in Lanao del Norte. By combining practical entrepreneurship training, real-world agricultural exposure, and continuous mentorship, the RAPID Growth Project and DTI are helping equip young people with the confidence, skills, and networks they need to transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises.

As the participants return to their respective communities, they do so not simply as job seekers, but as aspiring business owners prepared to create opportunities, strengthen local value chains, and contribute to a more resilient and inclusive rural economy.