DoST-assisted firm receives Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer
V&C AGRIFARM — a food processor, based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon — has received the Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer from NutriAsia Inc. (NAI) at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last August 30. The Department of Science and Technology (DoST)assisted firm was a supplier of NAI, the leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines.
The Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer was given to business pioneers and industry leaders that developed innovative solutions, which successfully enabled positive changes for NAI. NutriAsia Inc. cited that the awarded firms pointed the way to joint business improvement and challenged the status quo. The awardees were believed to be visionaries with faith that turned dreams into reality, and to have indestructible determination that cut through barriers and obstacles.
V&C Agrifarm became a beneficiary of technology upgrading by DoST through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup) and received numerous consultancy services.
The food processor firm was granted Setup assistance and was given free training on food safety. The firm was also assisted by DoST in its preparation of Good Manufacturing Practices Manual and SSOP Procedure in compliance with the requirements of the FDALicense to Operate (LTO) application. The firm was then granted the FDA-LTO certificate on September 13 this year.
Prior to receiving the award, V&C Agrifarm was provided with technical consultation on product standardization of pickled vegetables through the application of food safety standards from the start of receiving raw materials to deliveries.
V&C Agrifarm has also reported a 117-percent increase in its production volume since the technology and process upgrade.