December 12, 2022 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion is pushing for support for agri-microentrepreneurs to help address food security and create more jobs.

In a statement yesterday, Concepcion said President Marcos met with him and Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz – who heads the Private Sector Advisory Council – to discuss how to generate more jobs in the country.

Among the proposals presented by the group were the scaling up of micro, small and medium


enterprises for the creation of more jobs,


prioritizing the upskilling of workers, and making sure the country is ready for both local and international investments.

During the meeting, Concepcion emphasized the importance of helping agri-microentrepreneurs as this would help address food security.

He said helping microentrepreneurs in the agriculture sector grow is a more challenging task than providing support for those in the retail sector. It would require the participation of large companies.

Among the large companies helping small farmers is Palawan-based Lionheart Farms, which specializes in organic farming.

Lionheart Farms chief executive officer and co-founder Christian Moeller presented to the group the concept behind the farm, which is similar to nucleus estate farming, or a form of contract farming where big companies provide the initial investments and resources for the operations and work with small farmers or cooperatives.

Aside from Lionheart Farms, other large companies that have also seen the benefits of getting small businesses involved in their value chain are Universal Leaf Phils., Bounty Fresh Food, Nestlé and SL Agritech Corp.

Concepcion said he intends to have the Kapatid Angat Lahat (KAL) program focus on agri-microentrepreneurs.

KAL, which started in 2016, is being implemented to encourage medium and large corporations to help micro and small enterprises by including them in their value chain.

“We are not talking here of dole-outs, but of a sustainable and inclusive way where both parties can benefit and prosper,” Concepcion said. “KAL will give access to the farmers a business model that will have mentoring, and access to money and markets.”

As this is being done now, he said it just needs to be scaled up.

He also cited the importance of getting local government units (LGUs) involved.

“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 agriculture secretary William Dar will be joining the KAL as an adviser to its agriculture program.

Also being tapped to join are Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Piddig Ilocos Norte Mayor Eddie Guillen.

“Mayor Guillen has done it in his town with Universal Leaf Phils. Working together with its president, Winston Uy, they turned around the tobacco industry in that area and made it a leading exporter of tobacco,” Concepcion said.

He said the KAL program could also pave the way for the food security council that would ensure food security is achieved in the country.

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

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