The Department of Agriculture encourages overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to look into agribusiness as a practical alternative source of income and sustainable livelihood for when they come back home to the Philippines.
In a statement, the department said that it held its second Usapang Agribiz sa Singapore training program this week, gathering 127 OFWs based in the city‑state to learn about agribusiness ventures. The forum gave participants practical tips on starting an enterprise, securing financing, getting proper training, and finding markets for their products. It is part of the government’s wider plan to help OFWs settle back successfully through a joint‑agency approach, connecting returning workers and would‑be investors with support programs, technical help, and financial services so they can make smart business choices.
Around 220,000 Filipinos live and work in Singapore, ranging from professionals and skilled workers to household service workers. Data from the Department of Migrant Workers also shows Singapore is the second‑biggest source of OFW remittances, sending an estimated $2.45 billion back to the country every year. The agriculture department said these remittances could serve as capital for productive investments such as agribusiness.
The agency also reminded interested workers that having savings alone is not enough to run a lasting business. Those planning to invest need to understand market demand, production and operating costs, government rules, and possible risks involved. During the training, OFWs were taught how to prepare solid business plans, manage risks, and do proper checks before putting money into any project. Officials also warned them against fraudulent investment schemes, advising everyone to verify opportunities first to keep their hard‑earned savings safe.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said preparing for life back home should start long before an OFW decides to return, to give them time to build knowledge, gather resources, and set realistic plans to support themselves and their families. “Returning home should not mean starting from scratch. We want our OFWs to have the opportunity to plan ahead, make informed investment decisions, and prepare for a livelihood they can sustain long after their overseas employment ends. Through agribusiness, we hope to help them turn their hard‑earned savings and experience into productive enterprises that support their families, create opportunities in their communities, and contribute to Philippine agriculture,” the secretary added.
