Book on successful agri-businesses launched

In a bid to promote agribusiness in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) last week the book, “The Art of Agribusiness: 111 and More Success Stories in Agri-Entrepreneurship,” held at the 2nd Level, Atrium, The Podium, Ortigas, Pasig City.
The book, which is the brainchild of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, aims to promote agribusiness and agri-entrepreneurship and inspire Filipinos to engage in agriculture and fisheries as a profitable business venture.
It features 124 successful stories of agri-entrepreneurs from all over the country who have either benefited from the assistance bestowed by the DA and other government agencies, or grew largely through the honest hard work of their owners.
“Real and sustainable economic growth would not happen if the agriculture sector is left behind. In this book, we feature some of the trailblazing experts in the many fields of agriculture, and their life stories are as varied as the industries, products, people and organizations that they represent. All of them prove that there truly is wealth in agriculture,” said Yap in his speech during the launching of the book.
Originally, he said, the book was intended to feature success stories of 111 agri-entrepreneurs in celebration of the 111th anniversary of the DA. “But the abundance of agri-entrepreneurs worthy of getting featured in the book exceeded the targeted number of success stories.”
The book is the first of its kind in the country and in the history of the DA. According to Yap, the second volume of the book is already on the drawing board.
Joey Concepcion of Go Negosyo and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship gave the foreword as they share in the DA’s vision to promote entrepreneurship in the Philippines.
In partnership with National Bookstore’s Bestsellers, Anvil Publishing, and The Podium, the book launch gathered the agri-entrepreneurs featured in the book as well as representatives from the private sector and government agencies.
The book will be distributed in partnership with Anvil Publishing and will soon be initially available in the top 50 National Bookstore outlets in the National Capital Region. [PNA]