Pilmico seals first corn sourcing agreement with local farmers
For the first time in 20 years, Pilmico Foods Corporation, the food and agribusiness subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., has partnered with a local farmers cooperative for an inclusive sourcing project for corn.
Under the deal, Pilmico will directly source corn, a primary ingredient in producing animal feeds products, from the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative (MARBFC).
This is the first time Pilmico, which has been producing high-quality animal feeds products for more than 20 years, has ventured in an inclusive sourcing program with a local farmers group.
A farmers’ cooperative organized in Bukidnon, MARBF has 300 members and is actively pursuing various projects that will help them gain access to improved production resources, facilities and livelihood opportunities.
Pilmico Chief Operating Officer Tristan Aboitiz said Pilmico will continue to collaborate with the local government units (LGUs) and communities to promote the agriculture industry, ultimately advancing business and communities.
“I am honored that Pilmico is a part of this pioneer project and we hope that the successful roll-out will serve as an example for more of these kinds of partnerships in the future,” Aboitiz said in a statement on Monday.
The beneficiary cooperative was selected through the support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Corn Program Team and the Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon LGU.
The partnership was formalized during a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing held recently at Cagayan de Oro City, witnessed by Manolo Fortich Mayor Clive Quiño and DA Region 10 Director Carlene Collado.
MARBFC will serve a portion of Pilmico’s corn requirements for its various feeds products.
MARBFC Chairman Benjamin Magtajas said this is also the first time that the cooperative will be doing business with a big company.
"That is the first time that we can actually can go directly to the big companies and sell our produce. It’s a dream come true for us farmers, that starting today, we are able to work with big companies like Pilmico,” Magtajas said.