Jollibee Group Foundation held a three-day Journey to Growth forum, wherein 17 farmer groups and some partner Local Government Units (LGUs), and organizations from various parts of Luzon and Visayas participated to exchange best practices and learn about agri-innovations and fundamentals of business planning.
Agro-entrepreneurs make many decisions and conduct business in large part by embracing new technology and methods and adjusting to the constantly shifting market conditions. Through the recently convened Journey to Growth Forum, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group, facilitates the continued growth of these agro-entrepreneurs. The Forum seeks to improve smallholder farmers’ strategic thinking so they may keep developing their abilities and broaden their scope, paving the way for a secure future for agro-entrepreneurs.
Farmers, cooperatives, associations, local government entities, and partner groups came together in a spirited manner at the Forum. It included lively agri-innovation learning sessions, the most recent business news, focus groups, and seminars on strategic company planning. All of these activities were intended to provide attendees the skills and information they required to succeed in the modern agricultural environment.
Through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), JGF continues to empower smallholder farmers to thrive as agro-entrepreneurs and become economically self-sufficient by providing leadership and agro-entrepreneurship training that enhances their knowledge and skills.
JGF President Gisela Tiongson led the team in facilitating learning sessions, focus group discussions, and strategic business planning.
“The Journey to Growth Forum not only strengthened our relationship with partner farmers but also provided an ideal avenue for them to learn best practices and discover solutions to existing farming challenges,” said JGF President Gisela Tiongson. “We hope to aid our farmers in achieving sustainable growth by continuously providing workshops and training on leading edge and innovative approaches.”
Leadership and expertise
Experts from Jollibee Group’s global divisions—including Procurement, Insurance and Risk Management, Finance, Sustainability and Public Affairs, and the Data Office—spearheaded engaging discussions on key topics like customer service, supply assurance, operational efficiency, financial strength, sustainability, and leadership.
To deepen the impact, the Foundation brought in industry experts to share cutting-edge insights on agri-innovations. Miguel Garcia, Junior Operations Center Supervisor of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), spoke about preparing for the possible upcoming La Nina.
Adding to the wealth of knowledge, Dr. Dionisio Bucao of Mariano Marcos State University emphasized the critical role of soil health in sustainable farming, while Arjay Aquino of Central Luzon State University shared actionable strategies for soil health restoration, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the latest sustainable practices.
Through breakout sessions, participants discussed challenges and devised viable solutions for better produce and sustainable farming practices.
Onion business planning
To keep farmers motivated and responsive to evolving challenges, JGF conducts an annual Onion Business Planning (OBP) session with FEP farmer groups already supplying the Jollibee Group. These dynamic and hands-on sessions encourage farmers to engage in lively discussions to update their onion business plans, monitor and evaluate progress, while collaborating to refine their production strategies. By making this a regular practice, farmers are not only staying on top of their game but are also building a community that supports innovation and resilience in the onion business.
The OBP prompts and drives collaborative actions necessary to tackle challenges head-on and elevate farming practices. In 2023 alone, FEP supplied 24% of Jollibee Group’s onion requirement. This year, FEP’s share is projected to grow to 33%.
Jollibee Group’s Global Chief Business Support Officer William Tan Untiong has shared that the FEP farmers have already fulfilled 90% of the company’s onion requirement as early as the second quarter of 2024
“We’re targeting 2,000 tons of onions for 2024. We’re only halfway through the year, but we have already reached 90% of our goal. We remain focused and determined to increase FEP’s total onion share and empower our smallholder farmers by helping them succeed in their agro-entrepreneurship journey,” William Tan Untiong, Jollibee Group Global Chief Business Support Officer said.
FEP farmer groups have delivered 1,367,000 kilos of vegetables to Jollibee Group in 2023, marking a significant recovery of their agro-enterprises and exceeding targets post pandemic. Since 2009, a total of 30 farmer groups, or 1,400 smallholder farmers, have collectively delivered 11 million kilos of quality vegetables with more than PHP500 million worth of sales to Jollibee Group.
This outstanding accomplishment emphasizes how crucial it is for farmers to constantly innovate and adapt. It’s more important than ever for farmers to keep ahead of the curve in an era defined by accelerating farming technology breakthroughs, escalating consumer expectations, and regulatory pressures.
In light of the evolving agricultural landscape, JGF is unwavering in its commitment to supporting agro-entrepreneurs in achieving a sustainable means of subsistence. JGF guarantees that farmers can confidently overcome obstacles and exploit opportunities by providing them with the necessary equipment and information, promoting efficiency and sustainability in every harvest.
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