Joy Cardinal Saban, an alumna of the West Visayas State University College of Agriculture and Forestry, placed third in the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge National Business Pitch Competition Food Processing Category, held at the Iloilo Convention Center, for her agribusiness, Banana Kingdom Food Products.

Saban, who graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Crop Science, was recognized for her innovative value-added banana enterprise that supports Indigenous livelihoods in Lambunao, Iloilo. She received ₱300,000 in prize money under the program’s Start-Up Component.

Organized by the Department of Agriculture through its Young Farmers Challenge Program in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program, the competition highlights youth-led agribusiness ventures that promote innovation and sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Through Banana Kingdom Food Products, Saban transforms locally grown bananas into marketable products, creating economic opportunities for her Indigenous community while promoting inclusive growth in agriculture.

The program provides training and mentorship to strengthen long-term resilience and sustainability among young agripreneurs, supporting the continued development of enterprises like Saban’s.

Her achievement underscores the role of WVSU’s College of Agriculture and Forestry in producing graduates who contribute to agricultural innovation and community empowerment, in line with the university’s commitment to excellence, creativity, and service.