The path to sustainability is one we must travel together. The Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) recently celebrated eight years of partnerships for sustainable agriculture during its Key Partners Meeting. The Key Partners Meeting highlighted the role of multi-stakeholders, collaboration, and innovative solutions in building a sustainable future for agriculture.
“Our shared vision of sustainable agriculture requires a synergy of ideas, efforts, and resources, and it's the partnership between all these sectors that will ultimately lead us to success. Together, we can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable, and more inclusive future for Philippine agriculture, empowering smallholder farmers, and ensuring food security for all,” said PPSA Private Sector Co-Chair and East-West Seed Head of Alliances and Partnerships Mary Ann Pelagio Sayoc.
The event also highlighted PPSA's commitment of bringing together multi-stakeholders and fostering sustainable and inclusive food systems that empower and transform smallholder farmers to be self-reliant and resilient. During the Key Partners Meeting, she also emphasized the private sector's role in sustainable agriculture as drivers of change and key partners in this journey to sustainability.
Mary Ann also conveyed a message of support from the Department of Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel, Jr. who recognized the importance of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. PPSA is acknowledged as an effective platform that can facilitate and advance these collaborations among multiple stakeholders.
GROWING TOGETHER
More than 60 key stakeholders from the public and private sector joined the event, highlighting the role of multi-stakeholder collaborations and partnerships in agri-food system transformation. PPSA also welcomed its new members Agbeam Farms, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, and SEAOIL Foundation to the network.
Grow Asia Head of Partnerships Amy Melissa Chua recognized the support and collaborative efforts of PPSA's members and partners during the event and their role in helping build PPSA's reputation as an effective multi-stakeholders platform. Amy highlighted that poverty still persists among vulnerable farmers and fishers, calling for more collaborative partnerships that will help address these problems and ensure a better future for everyone.
“The sustainable transformation we seek can only be achieved when we work as one, if not, our future will be at stake and that of those we dearly love. Failing to protect ourselves, our country, and our children should never be an option. PPSA's recognition as an effective platform is grounded in being a network of resilient, hardworking, empathetic, resourceful, and warm individuals—Filipinos caring for their brothers and sisters.”
Meanwhile, PPSA Country Director Angel Bautista emphasized that the agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the well-being of our planet. She emphasized that by growing together and working hand in hand, we can ensure that both our planet and the agriculture sector can thrive and prosper.
“Indeed, in a world that is characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity or what we call a VUCA world, we find ourselves navigating challenges that are even more complex and unpredictable. Yet, in this era of change, agriculture remains a beacon of hope, a sector that can help us adapt and thrive.”
A KEY TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN AGRI
Leaders from the agriculture sector also shared their thought-provoking insights and experiences on multi-stakeholder partnerships. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Philippines Social Protection Specialist Ruth Georget, AsiaDHRRA Program Manager Florante Villas, Agricultural Training Institute Deputy Director Antonieta Arceo, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation President Arsenio Barcelona, and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Deputy Director for Programs Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam highlighted that collaborative partnerships, women's economic empowerment, responsible investing, digital agriculture, and climate resilience are key to sustainable growth in the sector.
The conversation highlighted that collaborative partnerships are critical in ensuring the social protection of farmers for climate resilience and can bridge the gaps in knowledge dissemination, ensuring that the latest advancements in agriculture are accessible and applicable even at the grassroots level of farming communities. The panelists also emphasized that as climate challenges intensify in agriculture, these partnerships provide farmers with essential support and resources to better withstand the changing climate.
Moreover, enhancing farmers' skills through capacity building and training programs is necessary to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in the agriculture sector. Furthermore, helping farmers organize themselves into cooperatives or groups, can improve productivity of farming communities and contribute to the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
These insights reaffirm that collaborative partnerships are key to unlocking sustainable solutions and ensuring the well-being of farmers.
“We believe that by harnessing the collective strength of agricultural value chain players towards designing and implementing market-driven solutions, we can help transform our food systems to become climate positive and inclusive...Our network capitalized on the synergies formed by your commitments and worked to promote an increased adoption of inclusive value chain models and sustainable innovations for agriculture,” said Angel.
Our Key Partners Meeting was made possible with the support of our Silver Partners Monde Nissin and Nestlé, and Event Partners Jollibee Group Foundation, Smart Communications, Inc., Philippine Seed Industry Association, Haverson Enterprises, Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds Corporation, KSHC SEEDS TRADING, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture.