RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. (RAFI MFI) partnered with Pilmico & Gold Coin Group (Pilmico), to champion sustainable livelihood and backyard farming entrepreneurship opportunities which aims to boost the agribusiness industry. The partnership was officially launched through a Memorandum of Agreement signing on October 29, 2021, Friday, between Tristan Aboitiz, President & CEO of Pilmico Foods Corporation – Philippines and Jonar Dorado, Chief Operating Officer of RAFI Micro-Finance Inc. (RAFI MFI)
The program will provide low-income Filipinos with alternative livelihood opportunities such as backyard farming, and in bakery and agri-posts businesses. This is expected to support the recovery and resiliency programs for the chosen communities.
Mr. Baltazar Cruz, OIC Director IV, Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Devโt.
PILMICO President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tristan Roberto Aboitiz
RAFI Micro-Finance Chief Operating Officer Mr. Jonar Dorado
โOur mission of elevating the lives of our clients has become important more than ever. We believe we can do more in our client business development and marketing assistance to selected business segments our members are engaged in. With the programs in place, not only will RAFI MFI empower and retain loyal clients, RAFI MFI will also be able to create a new channel for client leads through Pilmico clients and beneficiariesโ, says Dorado of the partnership. โWith the RAFI MFI-Pilmico partnership, RAFI MFI will get closer to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of lowering povertyโ.
RAFI Micro-Finance Vice President for Business Development Ms. Iris Dorado
The partnership program kicks off with the turning over of livelihood kits including a gilt package, egg machines or bakery starter kits to beneficiaries through Pimicoโs corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. The barangay agri-post reseller program is intended to provide their clients the opportunity to become resellers of Pilmico products as well as gain access to financial bridging services to enhance the sustainability of Pilmicoโs CSR livelihood programs.
โIn every program or project we decide to take part in, we keep in mind the Aboitiz brand promise of advancing business and communities, and we couldnโt be more excited and proud to partner with RAFI MFI to execute this program to advance the lives of our fellow Filipinos in agribusiness,โ said Aboitiz. โWe promote long-term solutions by equipping them with livelihood kits and technical skills needed to create a sustainable living for themselves and for their families,โ he added.
As for RAFI MFI, the partnership will give more agro-entrepreneurs access to its financial services which include loans for micro- and small entrepreneurs, non-financial services such as seminars in husbandry and nutrition, basic or advanced baking and cooking demos led by a team of experts in Pilmico, and the Tindahan ni Nanay, which is RAFI MFIโs online store where micro-entrepreneur clients can post and sell their products, among others.
More information can be found at the organizationโs official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/rafimicrofinance/
About RAFI Micro-Finance Inc.
The Microfinance Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-MFI) provides financial and non-financial services to micro-entrepreneurs with a mission of elevating lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through stable and rewarding livelihood.
Know more about RAFI by visiting https://www.rafi.org.ph/.
About Pilmico
Pilmico Foods Corporation & Gold Coin Management Holdings are the integrated agribusiness and food companies of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV). Gold Coin is now fully-managed and owned by Pilmico International and to date, it is the largest investment in the Asia-Pacific region in their shared history.
Pilmico comprises four divisions: Flour, Feeds, Farms, and Trading; enabling growth to its partners through its consistent quality products and unparalleled supporting services. Meanwhile, Gold Coin is a pioneer in animal nutrition and the manufacturing of scientifically-balanced animal feed in Asia.
Pilmico and Gold Coin represent one of the largest privately-owned agribusinesses in the region, with over 2,900 partners throughout the multitude of production facilities across 11 countries in Asia. Armed with the mission of feeding humanity, they aim to take a leadership position in innovating the food value chain in the Asia Pacific.
Know more about Pilmico at pilmico.com/.
