In many farming communities, young people grow up witnessing the daily struggle of their families — long hours, hard labor, and limited rewards. In Cagayan de Oro, where the soil is rich but opportunities are few, a quiet revolution is beginning to take root.
Jeff Ladrada, a student leader from Tumpagon National High School, once saw farming as a path filled only with hardship. That changed when he joined BAKA Kita — Bayanihan para sa Kape ug Kakao — a youth-led movement that reconnected him to the land with new skills, support, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Jeff is one of the many young people engaged through BAKA Kita, a youth-led initiative that grew from the city’s agriculture office program. It works in partnership with the 4H Club Federation and UNICEF Philippines’ Learning to Earning Pathways (LEaP!) Programme. The project is implemented with support from Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) and the Ateneo Learning and Teaching Excellence Center (ALTEC). Through the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, BAKA Kita does more than equip youth with the tools they need to nurture agriculture; it also helps rebuild their confidence and belief in themselves.
Planting New Possibilities
“I won’t give this life to my children.” These words, often spoken by weary farmers, stayed with Ezel Lambatan — known affectionately as “Inang Baka.” As the 4H Club Coordinator under the City Agriculture Office, Ezel has long championed rural youth. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to helping them plant not just crops, but hope for a better future.
BAKA Kita places young people at the heart of agriculture — not just as helpers, but as future stewards of the land. They plant cacao and coffee seedlings, learn hands-on techniques, and gain real-world experience in every stage of farming. Each seedling becomes a symbol of their growing confidence and commitment to shaping their own futures.
With support from LEaP!, young people like Jeff gain more than agricultural skills. They learn life skills, digital literacy, professional communication, and civic engagement. Through platforms like Passport to Earning (P2E) and Youth Marketplace Agency (YOMA), they access global learning, earn certifications, and build brighter futures.
From the Ground Up, Local Leadership
Jeff dreams of seeing BAKA Kita integrated into school curricula, inspiring more youth to see agriculture as a viable, fulfilling path. His vision is shared by Ezel Lambatan, who believes the program is rekindling a vital connection between young farmers and local government — a partnership rooted in trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Local leader Crispin Bactong emphasizes the importance of guiding young people through the entire planting cycle, from nursery preparation to harvest. Through the LEaP! programme, these youths receive capacity-building training, and digital tools that enable learning even in remote locations. This support connects them to meaningful opportunities. As a result of this intersectional collaboration, more young people in Cagayan de Oro are actively engaging in agriculture and agri-enterprise.
“With continued support, initiatives like BAKA Kita can bring lasting change for both present and future generations,” shared SK Chairperson Hon. Melanie Maestro.
Together with the LEaP! Programme, BAKA Kita is transforming young people from hesitant bystanders into active contributors within their communities.
Sowing Seeds of Hope
The LEaP! Programme and BAKA Kita initiative show that meaningful change often begins quietly — with a seedling, a shovel, and a young person daring to dream. As these programs flourish in Cagayan de Oro, they offer more than training. They restore something deeper: the joy of dreaming, the pride of belonging, and the power to shape one’s future.
“To our youth and future farmers, keep planting seeds in your own soil. Those seeds will grow into hope — not just for you, but for generations to come.” – Ezel Lambatan
And for young people like Jeff, that hope has already begun to take root.
The transformation unfolding in Cagayan de Oro shows what’s possible when young people are supported to lead. At the heart of this change is UNICEF Philippines’ Learning to Earning Pathways (LEaP!) Programme, supported by Accenture. LEAP! opens doors for young people to build meaningful futures. Implemented by Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Ateneo Learning and Teaching Excellence Center (ALTEC), and the 4H Club through their project BAKA Kita, and in collaboration with Generation Unlimited (GenU), LEaP! empowers youth with the skills, tools, and confidence to thrive in agriculture and agri-enterprise.
This dynamic partnership is not just preparing young people for a changing world- it is equipping them to shape it. From seedlings to solutions, a new generation of changemakers is emerging, leading the way toward stronger, more sustainable communities.
Written by: Nicko “CK” Gatpandan | Lei Demin | Kristofer Kliatchko
Photo by: Vergel Lozano