On the first day of the Cebu Business Month Entrepreneurship Summit 2023, tagged “Designing a Strategic, Resilient and Sustainable Cebu”, at the 38 Park Avenue Showroom I.T Park Cebu, the discussion dove right into the topic of food sustainability and security.
The summit was opened by John Paul Chiongban, overall Chairperson of Cebu Business Month, who emphasized the importance of food sustainability and security in the city's goal of becoming more resilient and sustainable. He noted that Cebu is a major agricultural producer, but that the sector is facing several challenges, including climate change, rising costs of production, and a lack of market access.
Gretchen Choa, Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Summit, also emphasized that the focus on food sustainability and security provides a foundation for tackling the issues of agriculture and food security with a broader vision of achieving "food security for Cebu" in the long run.
She highlighted that the summit serves as a valuable occasion for various stakeholders to converge and deliberate on strategies for overcoming these challenges, ultimately paving the way for a future in Cebu that is both more sustainable and secure in terms of food.
Agripreneur Gumer "Mhy" Cogal, owner of Mhy J's Refreshment and Dragon Fruit Farm in Minglanilla town started out by selling fresh dragon fruit, but he soon realized that he could make more money by processing the fruit into value-added products, such as dragon fruit juice and jam.
Cogal is committed to making agriculture more sustainable and profitable. He is also working to encourage the younger generation to get involved in agriculture.
"Dragon fruit has a lot of benefits. It can help our body absorb a lot of nutrients and it can help sustain our health," he said.
Jonathan Unchuan, owner of Barili Milk Station in Barili town, is another agripreneur who is transforming the agricultural sector in Cebu.
He started out by selling raw cow's milk, but he soon realized that he could make more money by processing the milk into value-added products, such as cheese and yogurt.
Unchuan is also committed to making agriculture more sustainable and profitable.
"If I just sell cow's milk it's going to spoil very quickly so to make it last longer we have to make it into cheese," he said
These agripreneurs are all working to make a difference in the agricultural sector in Cebu. They are proving that it is possible to make a profit from agriculture while also being sustainable and beneficial to the community
The first day of Entrepreneurship Summit brought these transformations to life, with visionary entrepreneurs who've not only mastered the art of turning humble raw materials like eggs and dragon fruit into prized products but, as UNILAB WARRIOR Ricardo Alba ("Boss Rick") so passionately put it, have also learned the art of "keeping an open mind" in an agricultural landscape where traditions meet the future.
These change-makers go beyond profit margins. Like Alvin Hing, Chairman and CEO of Excelsior Farms Inc., they're the eco-conscious champions, who boldly declared, "We built our farm in a modern set-up; all our waste is converted into energy, called bio-gas." Their stories illustrate how creativity can be a catalyst for sustainability.
“And what's even more heartwarming is the growing interest of the younger generation”, said Bobby Adan, who suggested when he shared his vision of investing in agricultural education.
He and others like Alvin Hing are determined to make agriculture appealing to the young, making it as cool and modern as your favorite tech gadget – or, making agriculture "sexy and techy."
With these innovators leading the way, Cebu's agricultural landscape isn't just a field of dreams; it's a vibrant, forward-thinking realm poised for a prosperous and sustainable future.
An agrifood entrepreneur must undergo ongoing training in order to overcome the obstacles that lie in their way.
These difficulties could include everything from insect infestations and technological upheavals to market instability and climate change. Those who succeed in this dynamic industry are characterized by their capacity to innovate, adapt, and push on in the face of these challenges.
In the words of Chris Fradiga, an experienced figure in the agri-food sector, "You’ll meet failures along the way but these failures are stepping stones for you to learn."
His insight underscores the transformative power of setbacks, emphasizing their potential to contribute to one's growth and success.
As the speakers on the first day of the Entrepreneurship Summit highlighted to the audience, agrifood is like a journey with ups and downs, full of challenges and chances. Starting from when people first grew cacao plants to the bigger picture of farming, each move you make can help you learn and grow.
Mistakes teach us, enthusiasm keeps us committed, and demanding situations strengthen us.
If you understand how complicated this field can be, people who want to succeed in agrifood can find their way forward, turning every problem into a chance to get closer to their big dreams.
This multi-faceted approach aims to create a conducive environment for SMEs to grow, thrive, and contribute to the country's economic development.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led by Director Ma. Elena Arbon, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), led by Director Engr. Jesus F. Zamora, Jr., are supporting agripreneurs in Region 7 through a range of programs and services.
DTI is focusing on key priority sectors, such as cacao, coffee, bamboo, and coconut. Director Arbon said that DTI provides assistance with product development, marketing, financing, and access to markets and information.
DOST focuses on research and development, testing and certification, and innovation. Director Zamora said that DOST helps agripreneurs obtain licenses to operate and develop appropriate product packaging and labeling.
The collaboration between DTI and DOST is helping agripreneurs in Region 7 succeed. For example, DTI helps agripreneurs develop new products or improve existing products' quality, as Director Arbon said.
They also help agripreneurs market their products to local and international buyers, and provide financing to agripreneurs to start or expand their businesses, as also said by Director Arbon.
On the other hand, DOST helps agripreneurs conduct research and development on new agricultural products and technologies, says Director Zamora.
They also help agripreneurs test and certify their products to meet quality standards, and provide innovation funds to agripreneurs to help them update their technologies and develop new products, as also said by Director Zamora.
The government's support for agripreneurs is essential to the growth of the agriculture sector in Region 7.
Through providing these programs and services, the government is helping to create a more conducive environment for agripreneurship and to ensure that the agriculture sector can continue to contribute to economic growth and job creation.
(Alexandra Cardoso, Honey Lynn Labra, Thea Borgonia / USC Marketing Management interns)