Jollibee Group Foundation Supports Ilocos Sur Farmer Group to Become Agro-Entrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines. – Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social responsibility arm of Jollibee Group, continues to capacitate youth scholars, farmers, and local farming communities nationwide through its local implementing partners like the Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative (SHSC) in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.

JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) has been enabling several SHSC members and groups through scholarships and training since 2013. 

The Tagudin Agroentrepeneurs Association, Inc. (TAA), was the first farmer group organized by SHSC through the agro-enterprise clustering approach introduced by JGF. SHSC has been assisting TAA in marketing their products, agri-financing and agri technologies, among others.. 

“Dati kasi wala naman kaming kakayahan na magkaroon ng capital dahil nakatutok lang kami sa pagtatanim. Pero dahil sa tulong ng coop at ng JGF ay natulungan kaming makapagumpisa at magkaroon ng magandang variety ng binhi. Naturuan din kami ng iba pang kaalaman tungkol sa pagsasaka at pagnenegosyo,” said TAA’s General Manager, Michael Lorica. (“Before, we didn't have the ability to have capital because we only focused on planting. But with the help of the coop and JGF, we were able to start planting and have access to a good variety of seeds. We were also taught other knowledge about farming and doing business.”)

“Bukod pa dito, siyempre malaking bagay rin sa amin na meron na kaming sure buyer para sa aming mga produkto” he added. (“In addition to this, of course it is also a big deal for us that we now have a sure buyer for our products.”)

FEP centers on developing smallholder farmers’ leadership and technical skills by helping them become direct suppliers of high-quality vegetables to corporate buyers such as the Jollibee Group and ensure their sustainable profitability. 

With a huge pool of farmers under their cooperative, SHSC farmer members have become part of the Jollibee Group’s growing roster of produce suppliers. They started supplying green bell peppers, tomatoes, and hot peppers to the Jollibee Group in 2018. Apart from vegetables, SHSC has expanded its products for the restaurant company by supplying white onions in 2022. The SHSC farmer members have delivered a total of 170 tons of vegetables to the Jollibee Group to date. 

TAA farmers, for their part, have been supplying white onions to the Jollibee Group brands since 2015. They have provided almost 600 tons of their products since their first delivery. 

Farmer collaboration

For Lorica, the years of partnership between SHSC and JGF have helped reshape their mindset as member farmers and now, as entrepreneurs.

“Dahil iba-iba ang covered ng seminar ni JGF marami sa mga nakagawiang pamamaraan namin ang nabago. Kasama na rito ang paggamit ng consolidation area to promote food safety at mga training tulad ng AE Clustering Approach, soil testing, at livelihood recovery program. Tinulungan din nila kami na makakuha ng mga sapat na accreditation gaya ng Good Agricultural Practices,” he said. (“Many of our usual methods have been changed because of the different topics covered by JGF's seminars. This includes using a consolidation area to promote food safety and trainings such as AE Clustering approach, soil testing, and livelihood recovery program. They also helped us get adequate accreditations such as Good Agricultural Practices.”)

“Ngunit para sakin ang isa pang malaking pinapagpasalamat namin sa JGF ay ang pagbibigay nila ng training para sa farming para sa mga kabataan dahil patuloy nang tumatanda ang edad ng mga magsasaka,” Lorica added. (“But for me, another big thing that we’re thankful for about JGF is how they provide farming training for the youth, mainly because the farmers in the country are continuously aging”)

Apart from providing opportunities for economically disadvantaged sectors, JGF, through its Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Scholarship program, partners with technical-vocational training institutions to provide indigent youth with the opportunity to stay in school by developing their agro-entrepreneurship skills.

The ACE Scholarship Program aligns with the United Nations’ transformative Sustainable Development Goals aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to the world, particularly its Quality Education (SDG4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10) pillars.

Commitment to contribute

JGF has long been committed to developing relevant, effective, and sustainable programs. With the support of its partner communities and institutions, JGF continues to leverage its expertise and resources to create valuable interventions that help uplift the lives of many Filipino farmers. 

“We believe that by fostering a sustainable collaboration between the Jollibee Group and FEP partners like SHSC, we help strengthen the future of the country’s agricultural sector. Together with our partners, we will continue to develop FEP into a more inclusive and expansive program that would help address the urgent needs of various farming communities and expose them to new and innovative farming practices,” said JGF President Gisela Tiongson. 

Since 2009, the FEP has capacitated 25 farmer groups of more than 3,000 farmers. To date, these farmers have supplied a combined 10.7 million kilos worth of assorted vegetables to Jollibee Group, which amounts to Php477 million in sales. 

Onion Farmers from Ilocos, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija Cited by the Jollibee Group Foundation

MANILA, Philippines. – The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), Jollibee Group’s social development arm, recognized three farmer groups from Ilocos, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija who have completed the Agro-Enterprise Training and fulfilled their commitment to deliver white onions to Jollibee Group for the first time this year.

Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative from Ilocos Sur; Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Tarlac; and Ungab Farmers Association from Nueva Ecija received the training on Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach from October 2022 to January 2023 as part of JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). First launched in 2008, the FEP hones smallholder farmers’ leadership and business skills to collectively supply high-quality vegetables that meet corporate buyers’ standards and ensure sustainable profitability. Onions is the largest volume that farmer groups directly supply the Jollibee Group through this program.

During the Agro-Enterprise Express Training Graduation and Onion Season Kick-Off event held on August 31, JGF honored these farmer groups for their dedication and perseverance.

Future-proofing farmers

As the agricultural market became more competitive, and with the visible signs of global warming, the need to capacitate farmers with the latest business knowledge and skill set to weather them has never been more imminent.

“Malaking tulong po sa aming farmers ang mabigyan ng kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo. Natutuhan po naming kung paano i-market ang aming mga pananim. Masasabi ko na naging mas competitive po kami sa merkado pagdating sa agri-business. Dito rin po namin nalaman ang mga makabagong techniques at mga posibleng solusyon patungo po sa realidad ng global warming or climate change,” (Gaining knowledge on business is really a great help to farmers. We learned how to market our produce. I can say that we became more competitive in the agri-business market. We also learned about modern techniques and potential solutions in dealing with the reality of global warming or climate change) said Felipe Roy Cuizon, Cluster Leader of Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative.

Aside from modern farming and marketing techniques, the Agro-Enterprise Training also equips farmers with financing and crop insurance knowledge.

Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative, Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Ungab Farmers Association are part of the seven farmer groups that supplied white onions to various Jollibee Group brands in the 2022 to 2023 October to May Onion Season.

Cultivating change

JGF president Gisela Tiongson looks forward to nurturing new partnerships and upskilling new farmer groups for the upcoming 2024 Onion Season. JGF will continue to help improve the skills and capabilities of more smallholder farmers and empower them to create positive changes that will benefit their families and communities.

“Hangga’t ang mga magsasaka ay nananatiling nakatuon sa layunin na mas paangatin pa ang kanilang kakayahan at kabuhayan, kami sa JGF ay magpapatuloy din sa adhikain ng FEP at magsusumikap na maghanap ng mga bagong paraan upang suportahan ang kanilang mga pangarap na maging farmer entrepreneurs,” (As long as the farmers remain committed to the goal their aspiration of improving their skills and their livelihoods, we at JGF will also continue FEP’s mission and we will work harder to look for new ways to support their dreams of becoming farmer entrepreneurs) Tiongson added.

This sustainable collaboration between FEP farmers and institutions like JGF signifies growth and a promising future for the country’s agricultural community at a time when it is needed the most.

DTI rolls out Kapatid Mentor Me Program in Ilocos Norte

True to its thrust to propel micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards innovative and competitive business environment, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 1, in partnership with Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), on September 15, launched the Kapatid Mentor Me Program (KMME) - Ilocos Norte Leg in Ilocos Norte.

the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship - Go Negosyo. The KMME Program is part of the DTI – PCE partnership Negosyo - Kapatid Project to help MSMEs scale up their businesses and become globally competitive enterprises through coaching and mentoring sessions.

The KMME Program is part of the Negosyo- Kapatid Project that will guide micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale up their businesses through 10 weeks of 1-on-1 consultations and coaching sessions with business experts and help MSMEs scale up and become globally competitive enterprises through coaching and mentoring sessions.

In his message, DTI-Ilocos Regional Director Florante Leal emphasized the role played by MSMEs in fueling the economic growth of the country while also highlighting the importance of mentoring towards the attainment of economic progress driven by empowered MSMEs.

Leal said the KMME program is a “big brother-small brother” concept, which is a perfect tool to motivate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Ilocanos and Pangasinenses.”

PCE accredited mentors shared their expertise on Entrepreneurial Mind Setting, Business Values Formation and Marketing to some 250 MSMEs from the Region.

The KMME program is in line with the Duterte Administration’s agenda of advancing MSMEs in the country.

The program will allow mentees to learn strategies on marketing, financial, human resource and operation management among others during the 10-week module-based sessions. On the 11th week, mentees are also required to present their business development plans before their graduation from the program.

Upon completion of the program, the MSEs are expected to become confident entrepreneurs with the right mindset and business-knowhow that will be able to sustain and scale up their enterprises.

For Ilocos Norte, 22 mentees were chosen for the program. Qualified mentees are business owners or managers of an enterprise with an asset of three million and below and operational for at least a year.

Ilocos Norte is the fourth and last province in the region to roll-out the Kapatid Mentor Me Program. La Union, Pangasinan have previously launched the KMME program and has already produced entrepreneur 50 graduates while 23 entrepreneurs in Ilocos Sur are expected to finish the program.

*This is Press Release