Equipping agri-entrepreneurs

Back in 2014, Go Negosyo had its first Agri-Negosyo Summit in World Trade Center with more than 10,000 participants who attended. It was one of the biggest gatherings of agri-entrepreneurs, farmers, poultry farmers and other agriculture sector stakeholders.

Participants were inspired by the success stories of the agri-preneurs. We pursued the summit because I personally believe that the sector has a tremendous potential that is waiting to be maximized. Agriculture is the game changer! If we can focus on developing the sector, it can further strengthen the economy.

The whole day session was a group mentorship with our “agri-preneurs” who have years of experience and expertise. This was our idea of mentoring three years ago.

Fast forward to 2016, we launched the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry to provide micro and small entrepreneurs with a closer mentoring session with the help of entrepreneur-mentors who can answer their questions on business and give them techniques and strategies on how to handle and improve their enterprises.

After months of successful roll-outs since August last year, we decided to bring the Kapatid Mentor ME program to the agriculture sector. We collaborated with the Department of Agriculture, led by Sec. Manny Piñol, and the Agriculture Training Institute to generate another program called the Kapatid Agri Mentor ME Program (KAMMP). Go Negosyo adviser for agriculture Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar leads the implementation of the program.

 KAMMP aims to equip agri-preneurs with the proper production technique and to align the agri-preneurs’ mindset and values to successfully run an agri enterprise. KAMMP also teaches agri-preneurs with practical knowledge and strategies to expand their business. Agri-preneurs will also be given the chance to consult mentors about their current business status. And lastly, KAMMP aims to nurture a community of dynamic, competitive, and sustainable agri-preneurs.

 KAMMP is similar to the program of KMME, with modules on different functional areas of entrepreneurship. But instead of the 10-week program, KAMMP will be a three-day session covering the eight modules namely: Entrepreneurial mind setting, marketing, basic accounting, farm operation management, agri supply and value chain, finance, obligations and contracts, and business plan development. The modules are designed to strengthen our farmers’ business acumen.

Our first KAMMP roll out will be next week in Region 8. From July to November, we will visit different regions for the launch of the agri mentoring program.

 As of today, more than 50 agri mentors have pledged their commitment to help mentees improve their agri-enterprises including Toto Barcelona (Harbest), Dr. William Dar (InangLupa Movement), Pablito Villegas (Villegas Eco-Organic Farmville), Josephine Costales (Costales Nature Farms), Flor Tarriela (Flor’s Garden), Babie Atanacio (Terra Verde Eco Farm), Andry Lim (Natural Farmers Institute of the Philippines), Mat Maderazo (Anawin Lay Missions Fdn.), Eddie Canuto (Ephrathah Farms Corp.), Bobby Amores, Troy Bumagat (Trophy Farms Supplies), Eddie Guillen, Pamela Henares (Buro-buro Springs Vermi Farm), Pamela Chan, Mary Ann Sayoc, Michael Caballes (Allied Botanical Corp.), Cherrie Atilano (AGREA), Majella Villaroman (AccelSPROUT), and Willy Arcilla. We would like to invite more qualified agri experts, academe, practitioners to be part of the KAMMP. As mentors, you will have the chance to share your experiences, knowledge and success to our agri mentees.

 Why are we bringing mentorship to our farmers? As we all know, not all farmers were able to finish their studies. Instead, they would rather plant crops or till the land in a long run for a small amount in exchange. According to a study in 2014, we have old farmers with an average age of 57. In line with this, we want the younger generation to see that there is money and success in agriculture. If we are to empower the youth to pursue agriculture, we are securing the country’s future. There will be a new batch of agri-preneurs and farmers who will provide us with the food we need every day.

We hope to contribute to the growth of the agri sector. For the first three months of 2017, the agriculture sector grew 5.28 percent. With the KAMMP, Go Negosyo, DA and ATI will bring more developments to our farmers through mentoring.

This is part of Go Negosyo’s mission of bringing inclusive growth to all sectors. We want all micro and small entrepreneurs, including agri-preneurs to receive the necessary knowledge they need to manage and sustain their businesses.

For interested farmers and agri-preneurs, you may register in your respective Department of Agriculture Regional Offices. You can also get updates on KAMMP through the Go Negosyo website, www.gonegosyo.net.

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Tomorrow will be the ASEAN MSME Development Summit of the Department of Trade and Industry supported by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. The ASEAN MSME Summit will “place the MSMEs in the foreground of the regional agenda.” The summit will gather entrepreneurs, public sector representatives, and ASEAN counterparts to showcase the opportunities for MSMEs. With the theme, “7Ms Towards Prosperous ASEAN MSMEs”, the summit focuses on the 7Ms: Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Markets, Money, Machine, and Models which will better equip MSMEs as they reach for success.

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Philippine Franchise Association will have its Franchise Asia Philippines 2017 Conference and Expo on July 19 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. They will be showcasing successful franchise models in the country.