Pilmico, DAR sign MOA to promote agro-entrepreneurship among Filipinos
Aboitiz food business unit Pilmico, together with the Aboitiz Foundation, officially sealed its partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for agro-entrepreneurship promotion at the DAR Head Office in Quezon City on August 10.
Aimed at increasing the household income of farmers through the provision of livelihood kits, the community-based partnership is under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of the government.
Under the agreement, Pilmico and the Aboitiz Foundation will provide livelihood packages as well as technical training to select Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of DAR.
Livelihood packages include piglet dispersal, egg machines, and bakery starter kits which will enable local farmers to sustain their livelihoods through an easy-to-manage business with a quick return of investment.
“We go around the country to promote backyard farming because we believe in the potential of our Filipino farmers to be a successful partner for growth. Through our partnership with DAR, we hope to enable more Filipino farmers to develop sustainable livelihoods in the years to come,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, Pilmico President and Chief Executive Officer.
Meanwhile, DAR shall provide microfinance services to farmers in the form of loans, savings, and insurance to help them gain collateral for their agri-business.
The livelihood packages is part of Pilmico’s flagship corporate social responsibility advocacy, Mahalin Pagkaing Atin, a campaign introduced in mid-2014 that aims to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through promotion of local produce.
Present during the signing were Aboitiz, DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President (FVP) & Chief Operating Officer Maribeth Marasigan, DAR Undersecretaries Sylvia Mallari and Karlo S. Bello, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) FVP for Government Relations DJ Sta. Ana, Pilmico VP for Corporate Strategy & Business Development Santanina Castro, and AEV VP for Government Relations Christopher Camba.
