Vine Everet W. Borja, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting (BSMA) student at Saint Mary’s University, was named one of the beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Program Season 6, Batch 2. Borja received an ₱80,000 start-up grant for her agricultural enterprise, Hiraya Rice Crisps, during an awarding ceremony held at Robinsons Tuguegarao on September 18, 2026.

Encouraging Youth in Agri-Fishery

The YFC is a Department of Agriculture initiative that encourages Filipinos aged 18 to 30 to establish sustainable, profitable, and innovative agri-fishery enterprises. The program provides financial support and guidance to young entrepreneurs to foster business development while driving growth within the agricultural sector.

Innovative Food Processing

Competing under the food processing category, Borja represented Hiraya Rice Crisps, a startup that processes rice—a main staple in Filipino households—into a portable snack. Beyond offering consumers an alternative snack option, the enterprise aims to promote locally produced rice and generate income opportunities for local rice farmers.

Rooted in Community Advocacy

A native of Dupax del Norte, Borja drew inspiration for the enterprise from her family background and local community, where her grandparents work as farmers. Observing the daily labors of agricultural workers in her hometown motivated her commitment to local farming advocacy.

“Supporting and promoting our local farmers was part of my advocacy when I joined a contest in Dupax,” Borja said. “I wanted to continue that advocacy through Hiraya Rice Crisps, and I hope to turn it into something meaningful and sustainable.”

Borja plans to allocate the ₱80,000 grant toward the further development and expansion of her enterprise.

Institutional Recognition & Institutional Values

Administrators from the Saint Mary’s University School of Accountancy and Business commended Borja on her achievement, noting that the enterprise demonstrates how academic concepts can be applied to real-world ventures that support rural communities.

Furthermore, Borja’s initiative exemplifies SMU’s core values of Excellence, Innovation, Communion, and Christ’s Mission by addressing community needs through creative enterprise. The project also aligns with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by empowering rural agricultural workers and SDG 9 ( Industry, Innovatio and Infrastructure) advancing sustainable food value chains.