Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the critical need for regional cooperation and enhanced market linkages to secure food supplies across Southeast Asia.
Tiu Laurel said the regional cooperation is more important now given the climate and geopolitical challenges that adversely impact agriculture and food production.
Speaking on the strategic goals of food security initiatives, the agriculture chief highlighted that robust trade frameworks and mutual economic investments among ASEAN member states are vital to bridging supply gaps during domestic production challenges.
A cornerstone of this cooperative vision is the expansion of the “Big Brother, Small Brother” concept across the regional system. Originally piloted in the Philippines to mentor grassroots producers, the approach is designed to level up small-scale agripreneurs by pairing them with established corporations and larger enterprises.
To drive this framework forward locally, the Department of Agriculture is rolling out initiatives like the Adapt-A-Coop program. This system connects cooperatives with private sector mentors who provide hands-on guidance in critical commercial disciplines, including production cost accounting, modern packaging, and targeted marketing.
Often run or supported alongside private sector and civic organizations—such as the Makati Business Club, ACDI/VOCA, and AgriCOOPh—to mentor and build the capacity of rice and agricultural co-ops in Luzon and Mindanao. The program aims Improve business management, financial literacy, operational productivity, and market access for farmers
Tiu Laurel focused on the importance of financial and operational literacy for smallholders. “They have to know the costs of what they’re producing and marketing, and how to market it properly and bring it to the right markets,” he said.
By establishing direct pathways between commercial players and local farms, the initiative aims to shorten traditional supply chains, eliminate redundant layers of middle traders, and secure fairer pricing for agricultural producers.
The program launched in 2024 is by major Philippine corporations such as the Jollibee Group Foundation, Ayala Corporation, and PHINMA. It matches corporate sponsors with local rice and agricultural cooperatives
As regional partnerships deepen, the DA maintains that private-sector-led mentoring backed by supportive government infrastructure will create a more competitive, resilient, and integrated agricultural sector throughout the region.
