Jollibee Gives Recognition to Three Farmer Groups from the North

The Jollibee Group Foundation gives recognition to three farmer groups from Ilocos Sur, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. These group of farmers has completed Agro-Enterprise Training and fulfilled their commitment to deliver white onions to JGF for this year. 

Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative from Ilocos Sur; Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Tarlac; and Ungab Farmers Association from Nueva Ecija received the training on Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach from October 2022 to January 2023 as part f JG's Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). Since its launch in 2008, FEP has helped farmers' to develop leadership and business skills to collectively supply high quality vegetables that will ensure profitability. Onion is the largest volume that farmer groups directly supply to JG. 

At the Agro-Enterprise Training Graduation and Onion Season Kick-Off last August 31, 2023. 

Farmers need to up-skill not only when it comes to way on improving their produce but they need the necessary skill set to be able to face the challenge that global warming may pose. 

"Malaking tulong po sa aming farmers ang mabigyan ng kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo. Natutuhan po namin kung paano i-market ang aming mga pananim. Masasabi ko na naging mas competitive po kami sa merkado pagdating sa agri-business. Dito rin po namin nalaman ang mga makabagong techniques at mga posibleng solusyon patungo po sa realidad ng global warming or climate change," said Felipe Roy Cuizon, Cluster Leader of Sacred Heart Saving Cooperative. 

Another thing that Agro-Enterprise equipped farmers are financing and crop insurance know-how. Sacred Heart Saving Cooperative, Pagbiagan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Ungab Farmers Association are part of the seven farmer groups that supplied white onion to various Jollibee Group brands in 2022 to 2023 October to May Onion Season. 

JGF President Gisela Tiongson looks forward to nurturing new partnerships and upskilling new farmer groups for the upcoming 2024 Onion Season. JGF will continue to help improve the skills and capabilities of more smallholder farmers and empower them to create positive changes that will benefit their families and communities. 

"As long as the farmers remain committed to the goal, their aspiration of improving their skills and their livelihoods, we at JGF will also continue FEPs mission and we will work harder to look for new ways to support their dreams of becoming farmer entrepreneurs," added Tiongson. 

This collaboration between JGF and FEP farmers highlights the promising future of the country's agricultural community.