VSU LIYAB project secures NEDA approval to boost youth innovation in Agri-Aqua

VSU is making a big move to help young Filipinos turn their ideas into real businesses in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors. 

The VSU LIYAB (Leveraging Innovation in Youth for Sustainable Agri-Aqua Breakthrough) project, led by Ms. Julie Bee M. Aginado, with the support of Dr. Feliciano G. Sinon and VSU’s Technology Business Incubator (VSU-TBI) team, has been selected as one of the 13 projects approved under the 2024 Innovation Grants by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). 

This program is designed to guide young entrepreneurs in shaping their ideas into market-ready businesses. It offers training, mentorship, and structured support to help participants through the early stages of business development. 

Those with the most promising ideas will have the chance to advance to full incubation at VSU-TBI, where they can further develop their business models and explore commercialization opportunities. 

The Creation of VSU LIYAB

Despite having a business incubation center, there were not enough young entrepreneurs in the agri-aqua sector. 

According to the data shared by Ms. Aguinaldo, individuals aged 18 to 30 years old account for less than 10% of VSU-TBI’s incubatees. She also added that many young people have fresh, creative ideas but lack the support to bring them to life. 

VSU LIYAB aims to fill this gap by giving young innovators the guidance and resources they need to succeed in this field. 

The project seeks to solve major problems in the sector, including the aging workforce and lack of youth involvement, limited business and innovation support, and outdated practices and market barriers. 

VSU LIYAB will also help young entrepreneurs find new solutions to these challenges through expert guidance, hands-on training, and business development support. 

Moreover, the project aims to equip young Filipinos with the skills and tools to develop businesses in agriculture and aquaculture. The long-term goal is to increase the number of youth-led businesses in this sector to make them more competitive and sustainable. 

VSU LIYAB funding approval

The project was submitted to NEDA’s Electronic Innovation Grants Information System (EIGIS) portal in response to a call for proposals. 

It underwent an evaluation by the National Innovation Council-Executive Technical Board (NIC-ETB), which assessed the project’s potential, relevance to national priorities, and expected impact. 

With funding now secured, VSU LIYAB can move forward with its plans to train and support young entrepreneurs.

The main beneficiaries of this project are young innovators including students, fresh graduates and early-stage entrepreneurs with ideas for improving the agri-aqua industry. Participants will be selected based on their potential, commitment, and the feasibility of their proposed business ideas. 

VSU LIYAB will be implemented through VSU’s Innovation Office, Knowledge Product and Commercialization Office (KPCO) and VSU-TBI. 

The project will also work with local business groups, such as the Chambers of Commerce in Ormoc, Tacloban, and Baybay, to help participants connect with mentors and potential investors. 

Government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and local government units (LGUs), will also be involved in providing technical expertise and policy support. 

VSU will provide the necessary facilities, mentorship, and access to industry experts to guide participants throughout the program. 

The university will also help connect promising startups with funding opportunities and business networks to improve their chances of long term success

While VSU LIYAB is currently focused on its initial phase, the goal is to expand the program beyond VSU. 

Success in this early stage will lay the groundwork for a larger initiative that can support even more young entrepreneurs across the country. 

This initiative will open new opportunities for the youth and help modernize the agi-aqua sectors to make them more sustainable and competitive in the years to come. 

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and; SDG 17: Partnership for Goals.

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