Agri-Negosyo Para Sa OFWs

The Agri-Negosyo Para sa OFWs is a one-stop shop of information for OFWs, offering a menu of agriculture and agribusiness-related programs and services of the various agencies all under one roof.

It offers full service information to OFWs in terms of starting an agribusiness, provide investment opportunities, assist in crafting business plans and studies, facilitate access to financing programs, trainings, available technology, and rebuild network and linkages in all stages of the agriculture value chain.

The Agri-Negosyo Para sa OFWs will provide OFWs with convenient access to the efficient delivery of programs and services of government.

Legal Basis

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued Resolution No. 22 dated 8 April 2020, adopting the recommendation of the National Security Council, thereby activating the Food Security Subgroup under the Technical Group of Resource and Logistics Management of the National Task Force (NTF Food Security Subgroup) headed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) with member agencies: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

On 17 April 2020, Resolution No. 25 resolved that the NTF Food Security be organized into the NTF Task Group on Food Security (TGFS) with the DA as Chair, and the DTI, NEDA, DSWD, DBM, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the National Security Council (NSC), the DILG, and other such agencies as may be determined by the chair, as members.

On 13 August 2020, the TGFS resolved that the institutionalization of a Sub Task Group on Agribusiness (STGA) is critical in increasing the level of food security, and that the farmers, fishers, the small and medium entrepreneurs and the agripreneurs are among the stakeholders supported by the government as one nation. It was also mentioned that the different agencies are implementing several projects and research studies to support agribusiness development and that a platform of collaboration between and among the agencies is critical in creating a favorable enabling environment for agribusiness to grow. It was resolved that the DTI will take the lead as the Chairperson of the STGA with DA as co-Chairperson, and DOST, TESDA and NEDA as members.

After a series of STGA meetings and consultations, the agencies agreed to work as one in addressing the urgent need for sources of livelihood and gainful employment of repatriated OFWs by integrating their agribusiness-related programs, projects and services under the Agri-Negosyo Para sa OFWs Program, in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to intensify government support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and displaced workers, particularly OFWs.

Agribusiness Portfolio

The Agribusiness Portfolio is a joint publication of the agencies under the banner Agri-Negosyo Para sa OFWs that will serve as a manual of operation in starting an agribusiness. It will contain basic information that will guide a person regarding the business registration process, qualifications in availing of the most applicable credit facilities, access to available trainings and seminars, contact details of persons or offices in charge, and other relevant information.

http://innovate.dti.gov.ph/programs/agri-negosyo-para-sa-ofws/