A COLLABORATIVE initiative by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Villgro Philippines has empowered three gender-inclusive agri-enterprises across Southeast Asia to scale up climate-resilient business models and unlock critical investment opportunities.
Called the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE) Acceleration Program, the initiative was launched earlier this year offering mentorship, market validation and investment readiness support for early-stage agricultural enterprises.
Participants underwent diagnostic panels, interactive learning labs, masterclasses, and peer exchanges, which culminate in 36 hours of personalized mentoring from 16 experts and trainers for more than a four-month journey.
Spotlighting enterprises from Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste, the initiative concluded with the online SAFE Impact Showcase last October.
Nur Azura binti Adam, SEARCA deputy director for Programs, said they are proud to stand with entrepreneurs who are turning challenges into opportunities for farmers and communities.
"We aim to scale up solutions that improve farmer incomes while ensuring environmental stewardship and social inclusion," Nur said.
This vision is aligned with SEARCA's 12th Five-Year Development Plan, focusing on the Sustainable Transformation of Agricultural Systems through Innovation in Southeast Asia or Sustain Southeast Asia.
Priya Thachadi, Villgro Philippines co-founder and CEO, highlighted scalable and enterprise-led solutions. "Real transformation in food systems begins when those who produce our food are no longer treated as beneficiaries, but as builders of the future."
Agri-enterprise spotlights
The Green (Lao PDR), through support for rural and women-led farms via poultry production, veterinary services, and cold-chain management, has successfully reduced chick mortality to below 1 percent, uplifted farmer incomes, and partnered with over 300 farms.
With a vision to reach 1,000 farmers by 2026, The Green is pioneering an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for poultry disease diagnosis and actively seeking partnerships with agriculture ministries, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions.
The Katuparan Producers Cooperative (KPC Philippines), a farmer-led enterprise producing sustainable pet and therapeutic foods from sweet potato, peanuts, cassava, moringa, and rabbit meat, drives regenerative agriculture and supports community resilience led by women.
With new investments, KPC plans to expand its reach to over 100 stores, support 500 families, and increase incomes by 30 percent within five years.
By connecting smallholder farmers to steady markets — including the national school meal program — and prioritizing women's leadership, the Sansli Liz Unip (Sansli Green of Timor-Leste) has improved livelihoods for over 100 farmers and provided nutritious, local produce to 5,000 students.
Future investments are aimed at expanding cold storage, enhancing logistics, and advancing organic farming training.
Building resilient food agri-systems
The SAFE Impact Showcase convened more than 70 investors, government partners, and development organizations to foster cross-sector collaborations and discuss key drivers of resilient agri-food systems.
Archana Stalin, co-founder of myHarvest Farms, said that regenerative agriculture starts by bridging consumers to their food sources and farmers to equitable livelihoods.
For her part, Sarah Kretschmer of DLG Markets GmbH stressed the importance of localized innovation, inclusive policy, and funding for climate resilience.
Featuring Imelda Bacudo (FAO), Afifa Urfani (Pandawa Agri Indonesia), and Chris Teoh (responsAbility Investments AG), the panel underscored the need for strong governance, impact measurement, scalable models, and inclusive partnerships to scale regenerative agriculture.
The successes of The Green, Katuparan Producers Cooperative, and Sansli Green underscore the rising momentum for climate-smart, regenerative agriculture in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the SAFE Acceleration Program demonstrates that, with robust mentorship and collaboration, agri-enterprises can achieve both profit and purpose.
Meanwhile, SEARCA and Villgro Philippines are inviting investors and development partners to engage with these pioneering enterprises and support the scale-up of regenerative solutions for resilient farmers and communities across the region.