Award-winning agri-entrepreneurs share stories that will inspire fellow farmers

MANILA, Philippines — Choosing to go into agri-business is a noble decision yet a difficult one to make. Farmers could easily go out of business if the weather suddenly changes, or if the supply of good quality seeds goes low.

But these agri-entrepreneurs thought none of it, and instead put their hard work into their respective farm businesses. They are Estrella Balnao of Kalinga, and Romeo Ponio of Agusan del Norte, the new Special Awardees for Agri Micro-business during the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA).

Inspiring stories

The CMA, now on its 16th year, recognizes outstanding microentrepreneurs across the Philippines. It is a signature initiative of the Citi Foundation aimed at generating economic opportunities for low-income people—including youth—around the globe.

The awards program provides entrepreneurs with resources to strengthen their business, including access to networks, capital, tools and training. It enables individuals to create economic sustainability for themselves, their families and their communities.

The CMA program highlights the combined efforts of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Citi Philippines, and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. (MCPI) to strengthen microfinance and enterprise development and financial inclusion in the country.

‘Brewing up’

Estrella’s family belongs to a local tribe whose main source of livelihood is coffee farming.

In 1989, she bought a six-hectare farm land to be used for coffee farming. But it was not until more than two decades later that she and her husband Benigno decided to establish their own coffee production business.

This means they had the capacity to process, roast, and package their coffee harvest. Alas, their first few years as coffee producers were hampered by natural calamities.

“In this business, one of the challenges we encounter is whenever there’s a typhoon. Coffee beans tend to be smaller, and production decreases. Also, when coffee trees are damaged by storms, they become useless,” relates Estrella.

Her relentless drive and thirst for constant innovation kept Estrella on track.

In 2016, she sought the help of Alalay Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), from which she was able to obtain an initial loan of P50,000. Using this, Estrella was able to upgrade to an electronic roasting machine, speeding up her production.

Today, her very own Mt. Kalinga Coffee brand is sold not only within Kalinga but also at hotels and restaurants in Baguio and Manila. Estrella continues to join trade fairs so she can expand her network.

In the future, Estrella hopes to acquire a license from the Food and Drug Administration to enable her to sell products in shopping malls and groceries. Plans are also in the works to build a coffee shop on the second floor of her processing building to cater to tourists in Tabuk City.

Reaping rewards

Romeo was born and raised in impoverished farming communities. He was no stranger to long hours of working in the fields under the scorching heat, but what he could not believe was how farmers would remain poor - or worse - become poorer. Romeo wanted to change the ending to his own story.

Magsasakang Siyentista and 16th CMA Special Awardee for Agri Micro-business Romeo Ponio shows his corn harvest to visitors. Romeo makes sure he is up-to-date with the latest farming technology.

In the early 2000s, Romeo and his wife Marilyn started planting corn in one hectare of land. They constantly found themselves beset by the usual problems of farmers: low farm yields, high costs, and low farmgate prices.

The Peoples Bank of Caraga (PBC) Inc. came into the picture in 2008 when it granted a P20,000 loan to Romeo. He used the loan proceeds to buy fertilizers and herbicides, and hire additional farm workers. What spelled the difference is the agricultural training he sought to improve his knowledge in farming.

Romeo earned the title “Magsasakang Siyentista” (farmer scientist), a distinction given by the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute.

“Every product or variety has a corresponding upgrade. I always follow the latest technology. Part of being an agri-entrepreneur is learning how to be productive by choosing the right kind of seeds,” Romeo explains.

In addition to corn, Romeo also grows vegetables, and operates a sari-sari store, an Internet business, and a backyard piggery. Apart from providing farmer-to-farmer advisory services in his community, he is also a barangay official. 

He has certainly raised farming to a whole new level, and intends to continue doing so as he dreams of further expanding his production in the future.

Microentrepreneurs in the spotlight

As CMA Special Awardees for Agri Micro-business, Estrella and Romeo received a cash prize of P50,000 each, as well as a laptop, life and health insurance coverage for one year, and access to grassroots entrepreneurship management and basic computer training at the Citi Microenterprise Development Center, another Citi Foundation program in partnership with Bayan Academy. 

Celebrations in their respective hometowns were also held to recognize their success.

Estrella and Romeo, together with seven other winners were chosen by a National Selection Committee co-chaired by the late Nestor Espenilla Jr., governor then of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Aftab Ahmed, chief executive officer for Citi Philippines.

The committee members are: Jose Ma. Concepcion III, president and chief executive officer of RFM Corporation; Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairperson for SM Investments Corporation; Atty. Felipe Gozon, chairman and chief executive officer for GMA Network, Inc.; Hon. Ramon Lopez, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Mary Ann Montemayor, representative for Mindanao Private Sector and National MSME Development Council; Imelda Nicolas, president of Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran; Marixi Rufino-Prieto, former chair of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Dr. Michael Tan, chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman; Orlando Vea, president of Voyager Innovations Inc.; and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president of Ayala Corporation.