Agri small firms get DILG backing

I think it’s about time we pursue and create inclusivity in the Philippines, and one of the biggest ways we can do it is in the most difficult area which is agriculture

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has aired its support to Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program, a project of entrepreneurship advocacy group Go Negosyo to help the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs in the agriculture sector by integrating them into the value chain of large corporations.

Go Negosyo chairperson Joey Concepcion and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos personally expressed support for KALAP during their recent meeting, explaining that helping MSMEs, many of which are in the agriculture sector, will help generate more jobs for Filipinos, especially those in the countryside.

“I think it’s about time we really pursue and create inclusivity in the Philippines, and one of the biggest ways we can do it is in the most difficult area which is agriculture,” he said.

The meeting of Concepcion and Abalos was also graced by the private sector, including representatives from Bounty Fresh, Harbest Agribusiness, Kennemer Foods, Lionheart Farms, LT Group, Nestlé Phils., Universal Leaf Phils., Yovel East Research and the Cooperative Development Authority

“We commit our department to this,” Abalos said.

DILG Assistant Secretary Odilon

Pasaraba was assigned to the program and said an Undersecretary position might eventually be created specifically for the task.

He added that National Irrigation Administration head and former Piddig mayor Eddie Guillen will also play a pivotal role.

Big guides small

The Go Negosyo chairperson maintained that Kapatid Angat Lahat tries to help MSMEs by encouraging big companies to come to the aid of the small.

“We already have proof that it works in areas like franchising, and that it is sustainable,” Concepcion said.

During the meeting, KALAP Senior Adviser and former Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar proposed that a senior government official be designated to coordinate the food security program of LGUs.

Furthermore, it was asked that food security be made part of the seal of good local governance assessment system of the DILG and that the department should help mobilize and strengthen the extension units of all LGUs, which will then partner with farmers cooperatives in enhancing productivity.

The group also asked for support in the business facilitation of various agriculture enterprises.

Abalos said he will see how food security can be incorporated into the seal of good local governance to incentivize LGUs and asked the group for guidance on timetables and specific areas to address the request for extension services and coordinating with farmers’ cooperatives.

During the meeting, two private sector -led models in the coconut and tobacco industries were presented, showing how private companies can successfully implement innovative agriculture programs in their communities and transform their respective industries.

Lionheart Farms co-founder and CEO Christian Moeller showed how the company was able to raise productivity among coconut farmers in Palawan using a model similar to nucleus estate farming, while Universal Leaf Philippines, under the leadership of Winston Uy, was able to turn around Ilocos’ tobacco industry to become an exporting powerhouse by using technology. In both cases, the companies worked closely with the local government.

“The models presented here show how LGUs can partner and this could be a very good template,” Abalos said.

“That is why we sought the help of Abalos for KALAP. The cooperation of the mayors is needed in many aspects of this program,” Concepcion said.

DILG Assistant Secretary Odilon Pasaraba was assigned to the program and said an Undersecretary position might eventually be created specifically for the task.

He cited the role of former Piddig, Ilocos Norte Mayor Guillen, who worked with ULP to revive the province’s tobacco industry, while the cooperation of Palawan Gov. Pepito Alvarez was credited as a key enabler in the success of Lionheart’s programs in the province.

“The experience of ULP and Lionheart proves that the cooperation of local governments is a key element in the success of big-brother partnerships in helping our micro farmers,” Concepcion said. “They can provide the enabling environment for this to succeed.”