With 50.9 million Filipinos facing moderate to severe food insecurity, the Philippines leads Southeast Asia as the most food-insecure country. Supply issues and heavy dependence on food imports are driving a looming food inflation in the market, making food unaffordable and inaccessible for many.
To address this complex issue, SariSuki, the Philippines’ largest online platform revolutionizing the agricultural supply chain, has partnered with ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, to improve local food security and sustainability while providing livelihood opportunities to local communities. Through this alliance, they launched the Agro-Circularity in Renewable Energy (ACRE) program, which aims to increase yields by 50 percent above the national average of eight tons per hectare using a strategic farm-to-market approach.
Brian Cu, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sarisuki, emphasized their commitment to food sustainability through their collaboration with ACEN stating, “The country’s path towards food security is mired with many obstacles, and this partnership intends to tackle these challenges by addressing key points: properly and effectively managing farmlands, capacitating farmers and building on their current skills, and providing them access to consumers.”
Expressing his support for the partnership, Mike Matè, Vice President of Investments of Kickstart Ventures, said, “Our initial investment in SariSuki in 2022 aimed to bridge gaps and address challenges in the food and agricultural industry. This partnership showcases how strategic collaborations can contribute to nation-building. It is a testament to the growth of our portfolio and the pivotal role SariSuki plays in transforming agritech. We are delighted to continue supporting them through Ayala Corporation’s ACTIVE Fund, as they work towards a more sustainable and food-secure future for the Philippines.”
Under this alliance, SariSuki will implement a vertically integrated supply chain process that allows the online platform to collaborate with farmers in effectively managing multiple stages of the production process, from cultivation of crops to distribution and retail. ACEN will provide land starting with its Ilocos Norte wind farms, for SariSuki to cultivate crops and engage farmers within ACEN’s host communities.
“We recognize the numerous challenges facing the agricultural sector in the Philippines, and this alliance aims to transform these challenges into opportunities. By combining agriculture and renewable energy this initiative promotes responsible land use, supports local farmers in enhancing their livelihoods by providing them access modern farming tools, training and infrastructure to reach broader markets and improve food security,” stated Irene Maranan, Senior Vice President and Head of ACEN’s Corporate Communication and Sustainability.
The initial phase kicked off within ACEN’s Conservation Estate in Ilocos Norte, aiming to cultivate six or more different types of crops this year depending on land suitability. The focus will be on produce such as chili, cucumber, lemongrass, including exportable produce such as ube, pineapple, cashews, among others. Farmers will also be advised to plant SariSuki’s top-selling vegetables in the market, provided they match the land based on soil testing.
As part of the ACRE program, SariSuki will also train at least 30 farmers from ACEN’s host communities to become “Agripreneurs.”. The training will focus on proper farming techniques including crop planning, uniform protocols, and integrating technology into farming practices. To ensure sustainability, a Farm Relationship Manager and Agriculturist will be appointed to supervise farm progress, with bi-monthly onsite visits to the lands conducted by SariSuki.
Emphasizing SariSuki’s dedication to creating a positive impact on the country’s agricultural supply chain, Bam Mejia, SariSuki’s Chief Commercial Officer, and Co-Founder, highlighted the long-term impact of this alliance on nation-building, “By building a strong agricultural ecosystem, we envision a sustainable future for Filipino communities where local farmers’ thrive, fostering a prosperous community, and a food-secure nation that fosters economic growth.”
SariSuki plans to initially focus on the Ilocos region providing direct access to SariSuki’s demand channels. They plan to expand this project across other ACEN projects sites in the Philippines in the coming years.