By Doris Isabel J. Racho, DM, contributor | 11:10 PM March 29, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol —A young agriculture advocate from Bohol has gained regional recognition for his work in promoting sustainable and community-based farming.
Rhodman Joseph Ubas, a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) operator of the Agricultural Training Institute – Central Visayas (ATI-7), was named a winner in the Individual Leadership category of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Youth Awards: Shaping a Healthier Food Future.
The awarding ceremony was held on March 17, 2026, at the headquarters of the ADB in Manila.
Ubas, farm manager and proprietor of Joseph Agricultural Farm in Ubay, Bohol is an active member of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group in Bohol, also serves as a farm partner in the implementation of the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA) Batch 4.
His work focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture practices, nutrition awareness, and farm-to-table approaches within local communities.
As a farmer and content creator, he has contributed to increasing awareness and interest in agriculture, particularly among the youth. His initiatives support smallholder farmers, strengthen local food systems, and encourage broader community participation in agriculture.
The ADB Youth Awards: Shaping a Healthier Food Future is a competitive recognition program organized by ADB, targeting young innovators and leaders across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region who are actively transforming agri-food systems to be more sustainable, nutritious, and resilient.
The Individual Leadership category recognizes young individuals, typically aged 18 to 35, who demonstrate exceptional initiative and measurable impact in advancing agriculture, nutrition, and community resilience.
A total of 51 youth leaders from across the Asean region were nominated under this category.
The program aims to elevate youth-led solutions addressing the “triple burden” of malnutrition (hunger, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity) while tackling climate change. It promotes innovation in farming, food processing, and distribution; empowers youth to contribute to regional food systems; and highlights sustainability, nature-positive approaches that protect biodiversity and reduce the carbon footprint of food production.
For 2026, the ADB Youth Awards recognized winners across various categories, including Individual Leadership for the Philippines, Community Leadership for Indonesia, and Digital Innovation for Thailand.
Awardees will gain access to grant funding, mentorship from ADB experts and industry leaders, participation in international platforms such as the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum, and wider visibility through ADB publications and media channels.
Ubas’ recognition underscores the growing role of young leaders in driving innovation and sustainability in agriculture, particularly through grassroots efforts that connect food production, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
