The Marcos administration must focus on improving the state of agri-microentrepreneurs in the country, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said, claiming that the sector can help generate jobs and address food security issues.

The former economic adviser to the Duterte administration is pushing for the improvement of agri-microentrepreneurship as the Private Sector Advisory Council, led by Concepcion and Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz, proposed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ways to generate more jobs in the country.

Among the proposals of the council, which the Chief Executive met on Dec. 9, was to scale up micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), prioritize the upskilling of workers, and ensure that the Philippines is ready to welcome local and international investments.

He noted that MSMEs provide more than 62 percent of jobs in the country, but the Go Negosyo founder stressed that large companies must do their share in helping microentrepreneurs grow because the agricultural sector is more challenging than the retail sector.

As an example, he cited the Lionheart Farms and how it used nucleus estate farming to partner with small farmers and cooperatives.

Nucleus estate farming is a form of contract farming where big companies provide the large initial investments and resources necessary for a farm to profitably operate, and small farmers or cooperatives enter into contract agreements with the larger companies.

Lionheart Farms has reported that “opportunities for entrepreneurship and businesses have risen significantly in the Municipality of Rizal, where it is based, and opened up opportunities for several other small businesses in the area.”

Universal Leaf Phils., Bounty Fresh Food, Nestlé, and SL Agritech are also some companies that include small companies in their value chain.

But in particular, Concepcion wants to focus on the Kapatid Angat Lahat (KAL) program, which was established in 2016 to encourage medium and large corporations to help MSMEs by including them in their value chain.

“We are not talking here of doleouts, but of a sustainable and inclusive way where both parties can benefit and prosper,” Concepcion explained in an earlier statement.

“Kapatid Angat Lahat will give access to the farmers a business model that will have mentoring, and access to money and markets,” he added. “This is being done now; we need only to scale it up.”

Aside from the role of larger companies, he also underscored the importance of local government support for the program.

“With the right leadership at the local level, the chances for success are higher. They will also help us pinpoint which LGUs are ready for this,” Concepcion said.

Former Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary William Dar will join the KAL as an adviser to its agriculture program. Also being tapped for KAL are Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and Piddig, Ilocos Norte Mayor Eddie Guillen.

Aside from the Private Sector Advisory Council, which he leads, the ex-economic adviser also wants to create a Food Security Council, whose mission will be to ensure food security for the country.

“For now we will do our best to make this work,” Concepcion said.

“The confidence is high because large agri-entrepreneurs and local government will be behind this program, with the President’s blessing,” he added.