"HIJO Harvest" is a platform where buyers can order fresh vegetable baskets, sourced from local farmers in Maragusan, delivered directly at consumers' doorsteps without the involvement of "middle men" amongst farmers and consumers.
Recently launched in April 2020, Hijo Resources Corporation (HRC) revolutionizes agriculture by providing an e-commerce platform that aims to empower farming communities and bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, thereby eliminating the "middle men."
Moving towards their vision, HRC partnered with Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) and local government units to connect to farming communities in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
This partnership entails community organizing, technical assistance in crop production and harvest, cost-sharing, and most importantly, capacity building of farmers in the entrepreneurship and organizational level that will further develop the farmer's skills and knowledge in agriculture.
In the Davao Oriental State University newsletter, Dr. Roy G. Ponce, VP for Research Development and Extension (RDE), and Dr. Edito B. Sumile, OIC president of DOSCST, consider the partnership "not only as an academic underpinning but also as a gateway to boundless opportunities for the farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in the province."
The birth of "Hijo Harvest" platform is HRC's response to the government's call on Executive Order 70 or the "Whole of Nation" Initiative, encouraging private sectors to work together with the government and the other agencies to collaborate in uplifting underdeveloped communities.
Hijo Harvest prides itself on its "Trust, Transparency, and Equity" business model, shining the light of transparency onto farming practices as Hijo gives central importance on maintaining a healthy relationship between consumers and the farmers. This gives consumers a platform to access direct data on all stages of production, processing, distribution and farm practices of the exact farms; whether it is being grown in ways that protects our environment and farming communities.
Through this business model, farmers are assured of a stable income, enabling them to grow their livelihood and provide for their family's basic needs and beyond, working towards becoming empowered and independent Agripreneurs.