Outstanding entrepreneurs in agriculture feted

Living up to its commitment to transform the Philippines into an entrepreneurial nation, Go Negosyo held its first Agri-Negosyo summit dedicated to farmers and fisherfolk last July 25 at the World Trade Center Hall A in Pasay City.

Go Negosyo Agri-Negosyo Summit (GNAS) focused on the agricultural sector because it has the potential to develop and contribute to the country’s inclusive growth and development.

Go Negosyo believes that since the Philippines is mainly an agricultural country, it is a viable source of income and opportunities for our agripreneurs. That is also the reason why Go Negosyo has focused on this particular sector after having empowered Filipina entrepreneurs, OFWs, and the youth, among others, in previous summits.

The objectives of the GNAS are: To present various business models from farming, fishing, animal raising to more specialized and sub categorical business; to recognize the inspiring agripreneurs and enablers who have contributed to their communities’ development; to invite speakers from the government to share the efforts done in order to reach the vision for the country’s agricultural sector; to gather and empower agripreneurs from various agribusinesses; and to inspire the audience, most especially the students, to develop their interest and knowledge in agribusiness ventures.

GNAS also recognized outstanding agripreneurs who have been selected based on their inspiring journey toward success and their contribution to their respective communities.

Go Negosyo’s 15 most inspiring agripreneurs for 2014 are Ronald Costales, Costales Farms; Tennyson Chen, Bounty Fresh; Jacqueline Alleje, Rizal Dairy Farms; Senen Bacani, La Frutera Inc.; Arsenio Barcelona, Harbest Agribusiness; Joseph Calata, Calata Corp.; Danilo Fausto, DVF Dairy Farm; Martin and Pilamar Ozaeta, Gemsun Marketing; Maximo Ricohermoso, MCPI; Arestina Papillon, Pamora Farms; Henry Lim Bon Liong, SL Agritech; Jeffrey Lim, JSJ Goat Farm; Neil Molina, JCDAF Dairy Farm; Greenearth Heritage Foundation; and Philippine Biochar Association.

GNAS was packed with informative and inspiring keynote addresses, plenary forums and panel discussion from distinguished guests, including Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential consultant on food security and agricultural modernization and Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the food and agriculture committee.

Ambassador Reuben Levermore of New Zealand, along with established agripreneurs, led the keynote forum on the topic of The Making of Top Filipino Agribusiness Ventures.

The plenary forum with the topic Business Opportunities and Business Models in the Agriculture Sector: Trends, Treats and Threats opened the afternoon program.

The forum panelists were Dr. Jaime Alip from CARD MRI, and Dr. Justin Arboleda of Coco Tech, among others.

The panelists for the next forum were representatives of different agri-enablers who have helped countless  members of society toward training, seminars, loans and insurances.

The second plenary forum in the afternoon covered the topics Going into the Agri-Business Venture and making the 3Ms (Mentors, Machines, & Money) happen.

The last forum was led by young agripreneurs and representatives from institutions who can empower the youth toward agribusiness ventures. The forum was titled “Cultivating the Youth to be Agripreneurs: Programs of Enablers and Stories of Young Agripreneurs.”

Go Negosyo’s Agri-Negosyo Summit would never be successful without partners, trustees and sponsors. The summit is the first, but will surely be continued in the years ahead to promote the potentials of the agriculture sector.

For more information about the Summit, visit www.gonegosyo.net or call (02) 637 9347.