The agriculture sector is at the crossroads. Whether it becomes a sustainable industry ready for innovation and growth or a declining group going down the drain will be determined today by this generation of leaders from both the government and the private sector.
It is crucial that agriculture is given the highest priority as food security is not just about producing edible food or feeding a population — it could even determine the survival or demise of a nation. The President, early on, was aware of this and was not remiss as he took the steering wheel of the agriculture department. He realized, however, that even with the vast powers of the presidency, he couldn’t do it alone.
This is perhaps the reason why the President was enthusiastic when the signing ceremonies for Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP) was held at Malacañan last Monday, March 6, 2023, noting that this will “help farmers and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises)” become more “productive, profitable, sustainable, and globally-competitive.”
Spearheaded by Go Negosyo and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), KALAP is an initiative to harness the private sector to help small farmers across the country. The signing of agreements with various government agencies is seen as a proof to “transform the country’s agriculture industry by integrating small farmers into the value chain of large agribusiness companies.”
In his speech, the importance of public-private partnerships to address challenges in the country’s agriculture and MSMEs sector, was noted by the President. “I have always said that in the difficulties that we are facing ahead, there is no sector of society that can manage the recovery by itself, and it cannot be done unless the different sectors of the society are working together and trying to implement a plan with a common understanding of what is needed to be done…of what people need, without forgetting every part of that sector or that area of the economy.”
MSMEs, according to him, are “vital in the creation of new ideas, jobs, and wealth in the country, while big corporations are crucial in spurring their growth and realizing their potential.”
Go Negosyo’s founder Joey Concepcion supported the President’s vision for KALAP, noting that this is “where agriculture meets job creation.” “It is the platform where we hope to employ as many Filipinos as possible, and it will do so where our job creation efforts can have the most impact: in the agriculture sector.”
Aside from promoting inclusive growth, sustainability, competitiveness, and development in the Philippines by leveraging the potential of MSMEs, small-holder farmers, and fisherfolk, KALAP will focus on agricultural commodities and industries. And following Go Negosyo’s advocacy, it will provide MSMEs access to the three M’s that are necessary for entrepreneurship to succeed: “Mentorship, access to Money, and Market.”
“KALAP aims to do this in partnership with large companies or businesses (referred to as ‘big brother’ companies), and emphasizes the participation of the government to provide the enabling environment to form a collaborative whole-of-nation approach,” said Concepcion.
On paper, KALAP is a win-win solution to the food and jobs crises that our country has experienced from time to time. But its promise can only go as far as the passion of its stakeholders, and how it can impact the youth — the next generation of farmers, food producers, and consumers. Without the youth’s participation, this will just be another noble program that will naturally fade away and be forgotten over time.