Mayani, Bayan Family launch climate-resilient farming program
PHILIPPINE agri-supply chain startup Mayani has partnered with the Bayan Family of Foundations to roll out a climate adaptation and sustainable food production initiative aimed at smallholder farmers and fisherfolk.
The project, funded by HSBC Philippines through a philanthropic grant coursed via the Bayanihan Group, promotes clustered, smallholder-led cooperatives that adopt regenerative farming, indigenous practices, strong cooperative governance, digital tools and market readiness.
The initiative is divided into two components: a technical assistance facility and a capital expenditure (capex) facility, Mayani chief executive officer and co-founder JT Solis said in an e-mailed reply to questions.
Under the first component, the Bayanihan Group will focus on improving cooperative governance among smallholders, while Mayani will spearhead the development of climate-smart agricultural practices for 30 agri-cooperatives across the country.
The capex facility is for the creation of climate-smart farms across the Philippines, Solis said. This includes the construction of smart greenhouses, precision irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting tools and the use of drought-resistant seeds and bio-fertilizers.
He added that improvements in on-farm infrastructure such as smart greenhouses and precision systems represent the bulk of the capital expenditures for the program.
The project initially targets vulnerable food production areas in Luzon and the Visayas. By 2026, the program is expected to expand to support smallholders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
