“Mag-Agri Tayo: Philippine Agribusiness Opportunities and Investment Forum for Overseas Filipinos” was held on 21 and 22 September 2024 in Nagoya and Hokkaido, respectively. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Aleli Maghirang)

01 October 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan, through the Office of the Agriculture Attaché, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), successfully held the “Mag-Agri Tayo: Philippine Agribusiness Opportunities and Investment Forum for Overseas Filipinos” on 21 and 22 September 2024 in Nagoya and Hokkaido, respectively.

Mag-Agri Tayo (Let’s Do Agri) aims to equip overseas Filipinos with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to make informed investments in the agricultural sector. By channeling their remittances into agribusiness, Filipinos abroad can secure long-term financial stability while contributing to the Philippines’ agricultural development and economic growth.

The forum featured comprehensive talks on promising investment areas in agriculture and fisheries, DA programs and services for agribusiness, and financing options for starting ventures. Notable speakers included AMAS Director Junibert De Sagun, Engr. Anne Glyn Lisbo, Mr. Leover Loyola of the Overseas Filipino Bank-Land Bank of the Philippines, DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Director Noel Clarence Ducusin, and Mr. James Amparo, CEO of Yovel East Agriventures.

Filipino community organizations from Nagoya, Hokkaido, and nearby prefectures actively participated in the event. Many attendees shared that it was their first time learning about the wealth of opportunities in agribusiness and fisheries in the Philippines. Participants also expressed a strong interest in having similar forums to be held across Japan, highlighting the need for continued engagement on these topics.

The delegation also met with Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Consul General in Nagoya Roy B. Ecraela, and Philippine Honorary Consul in Hokkaido Ken Luis Tobe.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano praised the initiative, stating, “Mag-Agri Tayo provides overseas Filipinos with the knowledge and resources to make sound investments in the Philippines’ agricultural sector. It is not just about securing financial futures but also about helping drive sustainable development in our country. Investing in agribusiness is one way Filipinos abroad can become active contributors to our nation’s food security and economy.”

On the sidelines of the Forum, Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang coordinated technical meetings for the DA team with key stakeholders in Japan, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on potential ODA projects, DENSO Corporation on smart agricultural technologies, KAGOME Co., Ltd. on fruit and vegetable value-adding technologies, Yamamoto Orchard on fruit production, and COOP Sapporo, one of the major retailers of pineapples and bananas from the Philippines.

Assistant Secretary Anarna, together with the Ambassador, was also a guest of honor at the Banana Afternoon Tea event held on 25 September 2024 at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo. END

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Allen Kristopher Anarna (6th from right) and delegates to the DA Agribusiness mission to Japan paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (7th from right) at the Philippine Embassy on 25 September 2024. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Aleli Maghirang)

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