JODEL Sanchez, 27, is one of the alumni of the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED), who has joined either a local government agricultural office or a nonprofit organization after finishing his scholarship. He acknowledged that he and his batchmates are “stepping up to take the place of the older generation of farmers. We are the youth who will help revive agriculture in our country.”
Sanchez belongs to the first batch of SEED graduates from Bacolod and Leyte who built six farms during their intensive training program. The scholarship program offers young people from underserved communities the opportunity to become future agri-leaders, equipped with the skills to build sustainable livelihoods and help secure the nation’s agricultural future.
Representatives from Okada Manila, a SEED partner who sponsored the first batch, visited the SEED campus at the Gawad Kalinga Bayanihan Village in Cavite for a community immersion and check handover ceremony on May 22.
Okada’s initiative is powered by proceeds from its Balik Baterya partnership with Motolite, which recycles used lead-acid batteries. In 2024, the program generated P1,034,880.00 from four donation batches totaling 32,340 kilograms of batteries. About P502,880 of that amount was donated to SEED Philippines.
Okada Manila Managing Director Kenji Sugiyama said: “Through our partnership with SEED Philippines, we are investing in young changemakers who can help transform their communities through sustainable farming, innovation and social entrepreneurship.
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