Aboitiz firms help nourish communities in SE Asia
Aboitiz Foods, the agribusiness arm of listed conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., has helped more than 200 families in the Philippines and Malaysia by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
This happens as the Aboitiz Group’s integrated food and agribusiness company affirmed its commitment to sustainably nourish and foster thriving communities across Asia, one family at a time.
“These partnerships demonstrate our belief in creating sustainable opportunities, and we are excited to scale these initiatives across the region wherever they can make a meaningful impact,” says Tristan Aboitiz, president and CEO of Aboitiz Foods.
These programs, implemented by Aboitiz Foods and its institutional partners, form part of the group’s greater goal of building thriving businesses and supporting sustainable local food systems.
Aboitiz says the company’s vision is for stakeholders to design various programs with long-term impact on their lives and those around them.
“Our investments in programs designed for farmers, micro-entrepreneurs and indigenous communities aim to create a more resilient and equitable food system not just for those working today, but for future generations as well,” the CEO says.
In the Philippines, Aboitiz Foods forged a partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through its subsidiary Pilmico and the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI). This partnership focuses on uplifting the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries and ARB organizations across the archipelago.
Under Pilmico Livelihood Kits, its flagship corporate social responsibility program, the subsidiary distributes kits ranging from bakery to poultry and livestock packages, with technical training designed to generate additional income and build sustainable livelihoods.
Each bakery kit contains flour bags, an oven, a baking rack and other various baking equipment. On the other hand, the egg machine has Pilmico Feeds, various animal health products and 192 ready-to-lay hens.
Meanwhile, recipients of the livestock package get two high-quality breed gilts, Pilmico Feeds and animal health products.
Hands-on training
Aside from giving livelihood packages, Aboitiz Foods and DAR conduct hands-on training in farm management, biosecurity and small business management not only to boost their income but also to beef up their resilience in the event of economic fluctuations.
Since inception in 2017, more than 1,093 beneficiaries have benefited from these initiatives.
Aboitiz Foods worked with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Microfinance (RAFI-MFI), a nonprofit organization in Cebu, to help micro-entrepreneurs in the Visayas and Mindanao with livelihood kits, access to capital and support to business development.
To date, the collaboration with RAFI-MFI has given 28 beneficiaries 10 gilts, 54 egg machines and five bakery packages.
Aboitiz Foods has expanded the scope of its sustainable initiatives to Malaysia by partnering with the Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (GPFM), a nongovernmental organization based in Petaling Jaya.
The partnership with GPFM entails addressing the immediate needs of the Orang Asli community in Pahang, which is among Malaysia’s most economically vulnerable populations.
This livelihood program involves building sustainable chicken coops, providing chicks and feed and offering technical training in farm management. It also offers educational programs for children.
So far, the tie-up between Aboitiz Foods and GPFM has helped 40 families in the Orang Asli community.
Across the region
Aboitiz Foods plans to replicate and expand such programs and partnerships to lend a hand to other families in Southeast Asia.
“By scaling these partnerships, we’re creating shared value—stronger communities, and a more sustainable food and agribusiness ecosystem in the various markets we serve,” Aboitiz says.
At present, the AEV subsidiary operates across eight countries—the Philippines, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei.
Aboitiz Foods is engaged in the following businesses: feeds, flour, farms, pet food and trading, and has 29 facilities in these nations.
It represents flour and feed manufacturer and meat producer Pilmico and Gold Coin Management Holdings Inc. a pioneer in animal nutrition and the manufacturing of scientifically balanced animal feed in Asia.
