ACEN, SariSuki partner to boost farmers’ output

MANILA, Philippines — Online market platform SariSuki and ACEN Corp. of the Ayala Group have partnered to boost farmers’ yields by 50 percent above the national average through a “strategic” farm-to-market approach.

The two entities signed an agreement that seeks to improve local food security and sustainability while providing livelihood opportunities to local communities.

SariSuki and ACEN launched the Agro-Circularity in Renewable Energy (ACRE) program that aims to capitalize on the two parties’ strengths in improving farmers’ yield.

For its part, SariSuki would implement vertically integrated supply chain process that allows it to collaborate with farmers in effectively managing multiple stages of the production process, from cultivation of crops to distribution and retail.

Meanwhile, ACEN would provide the land for the project, starting with its Ilocos Norte wind farms.

The initial crops that would be cultivated by the program would be chili, cucumber, lemongrass, ube, pineapple and cashews, among others. The farmers would be encouraged to plant the top-selling vegetables in SariSuki’s platform suitable in the land provided.

“By combining agriculture and renewable energy this initiative promotes responsible land use, supports local farmers in enhancing their livelihoods by providing them access modern farming tools, training and infrastructure to reach broader markets and improve food security,” said Irene Maranan, senior vice president and head of ACEN’s corporate communication and sustainability.

Brian Cu, co-founder and CEO of SariSuki, said the partnership aims to address some of the challenges faced by farmers that include proper farm management, capacity building and direct market access to consumers.

“This partnership showcases how strategic collaborations can contribute to nation-building. It is a testament to the growth of our portfolio and the pivotal role SariSuki plays in transforming agritech,” said Mike Matè, vice president of investments at Kickstart Ventures, which has a stake in SariSuki.

Furthermore, SariSuki would train at least 30 farmers from ACEN’s host communities to become “agripreneurs.”

The training would focus on proper farming techniques including crop planning, uniform protocols and integrating technology into farming practices.

A farm relationship manager would be appointed to monitor the progress of the farms to ensure sustainability of production, SariSuki said.

SariSuki said it also plans to expand the project beyond the Ilocos Region toward other ACEN project sites in the country.