Geared to revitalize the agricultural and entrepreneurial landscape of the region, Mindoro State University (MinSU) officially received PhP2,000,000.00 in funding from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office - MIMAROPA for the establishment of the BUKID Hub.
The ceremonial turnover of the check was held on January 14, 2026 at the Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (IABE) Building, MinSU Main Campus. Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol, University President together with Prof. Leonel C. Mendoza, OIC-Vice President for Research, Innovation, Technology, and Extension, Engr. Randy A. Joco, Director for Innovation and Project Leader, formally accepted the funding from Mr. Randy Pernia, Chief Agriculturist of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) on behalf of Atty. Christopher R. Bañas, Regional Executive Director of DA-MIMAROPA.
The BUKID Hub, short for Business Upgrading for Knowledge, Innovation, and Development, is a specialized facility designed to help young agripreneurs and local startups turn agricultural commodities into high-value, market-ready products. It specifically targets beneficiaries of the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) by providing the tools, equipment, and support they need to scale their agribusiness ideas into viable commercial outputs.
“Our direction is moving beyond visibility for its own sake towards activity that matters, and beyond activity towards measurable impact,” said Prof. Leonel C. Mendoza, OIC-Vice President for Research, Innovation, Technology, and Extension in his remarks. “The BUKID Hub reflects this shift as a space where research, extension, and innovation converge to support entrepreneurship.”
During the ceremony, Dr. Apostol emphasized the significance of the investment for the student and youth, noting that the partnership empowers the next generation of Mindoreño leaders to compete on a global stage.
“Our students and youths now are very fortunate because the Department of Agriculture is investing in us and buying our ideas,” Dr. Apostol stated in her address. She expressed her vision of seeing local students travel the world as representatives of MinSU and Oriental Mindoro, fueled by technologies developed within the hub.
“One of the reasons we are here is to directly change lives. MinSU will support you in achieving those dreams,” she added.
Located within the IABE Processing Laboratory, the hub will feature two functional zones: a Food Innovation Laboratory and a Machinery/IoT Fab-lab. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, including dehydrators, vacuum packing machines, and 3D printers, allowing for hands-on prototyping and value-addition of local crops.
The project is a shared commitment, with MinSU providing a counterpart contribution of more than PhP700,000.00 for facility refurbishment and personnel services. Engr. Joco noted that the hub will specialize in high-impact sectors, including biowaste-derived products and renewable energy.
In his message, Mr. Pernia reaffirmed the Department’s focus on rural development through youth involvement. “The involvement of the DA in the BUKID Hub and the Young Farmers Challenge is about development, especially for the youth. We thank MinSU for their trust and support for the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
Beyond providing equipment, the BUKID Hub will roll out a comprehensive capacity-building program. This includes training in business management, marketing, and product development to ensure that local startups are not only technically proficient but also commercially sustainable.
As the MIMAROPA region seeks to diversify its economy, the hub is expected to serve as a vital engine for job creation and food security.
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