Several Philippine companies have recently embarked on a journey to explore potential partnerships with one of Israel’s leading agriculture firms, Innovative Agro Industry (IAI). These companies are part of the Kapatid Angat Lahat sa Agri Program (Kalap), initiated by Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd. The aim of this collaboration is to establish a long-term investment in the Philippines.
IAI, which specializes in agricultural technologies for rural development, has already set up a local project team in the country. The delegation from Israel, led by Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss and IAI’s Chief Executive Officer Lior Crystal, expressed their belief in the immense potential of the Philippines in the field of agriculture.
Israel, despite its challenging geography, has managed to harness the power of science and emerge as a global leader in agricultural technologies. The country’s thriving agricultural sector and significant export of fresh produce are a testament to its success. Ambassador Fluss believes that the Philippines, with its tropical climate, could potentially surpass Israel’s achievements in agriculture.
The main focus of the collaboration between Kalap and IAI is to address the challenges faced by microfarmers in the Philippines and make agriculture a viable option for them. By introducing sustainable and inclusive business models and forging partnerships between the government and the private sector, Kalap aims to bring about positive change in the agricultural landscape.
Concepcion, the founder of Go Negosyo, emphasized the importance of technology and market access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agricultural sector. He stated that without achieving scale in agricultural production, it would be difficult for small farmers to obtain loans from banks. The challenge lies in finding ways to achieve scale and overcome this dilemma.
IAI’s core strength lies in its ability to bring Israeli technologies to developing countries and implement them effectively. Lior Crystal, CEO of IAI, expressed their strategy in the Philippines as being equity partners and investing in areas that make sense. This approach demonstrates their commitment and willingness to back their words with action.
During the meeting between Kalap and IAI, top executives from various companies participating in Kalap were present. These included Toby Gatchalian of Metro Pacific Agroventures, James Amparo of Yovel East, Christian Moeller of Lionheart Farms, Francisco Dizon of Dizon Farms, Simon Bakker of Kennemer Foods, Mat Maderazo of Planters Products, and Jojo Ocol of Agrabah. In addition, senior advisers Merly Cruz and Dr. William Dar from Go Negosyo were also in attendance.
The meeting covered a wide range of topics for potential collaborations, including dairy production, fertigation and distilling systems. They also discussed sustainable and inclusive business models in the agriculture sector. Technologies for high-value crops and commodities such as rice, corn, cut flowers, cacao, seaweed, fruits, and vegetables were explored. Water management, solar-powered desalination technologies, and regenerative farming were also among the topics discussed.
The partnership between Kalap and IAI holds great promise for the future of agriculture in the Philippines. By leveraging Israel’s expertise in agricultural technologies and combining it with the local knowledge and resources in the Philippines, this collaboration has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector and create new opportunities for microfarmers.
Source: The Manila Times
