Farming Entrepreneurs Offer Opportunities for OFWs and Families through Agribusiness
The Journey of OFWs and Dependents: Agripreneurship in Cebu
In a week filled with anticipation, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW RO-VII) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA RO-VII) offered a help-hand to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and their families in Region 7, host to the "Agripreneur Journey for OFWs and Dependents in Cebu Province."
Nicknamed "The Agripreneur Journey for OFWs," this endeavor, spearheaded by the DMW RO-VII, invited OFWs and their dependents to join them on an excursion to Q Farm, an agritourism hub nestled in Barangay Cambinocot, Cebu City.
Organized by OWWA RO-VII, the trip included lectures on organic vegetable farming and livestock management basics, followed by a tour where participants could gather their own fruits and vegetables.
"We're incredibly thankful to RD Rey Jacalan and Ma'am Dineza Gelle Zamora of OWWA for permitting the DMW RO-VII team and our livelihood beneficiaries to attend this event," Maria Eloida O. Cantona, DMW RO-VII OIC-Regional Director, expressed her gratitude. "We hope this will inspire OFWs and their families to apply what they've learned. An agriculture-related business can indeed provide a lucrative living—yes, it requires effort, time, dedication, and knowledge. As they say, 'Money grows on trees.'"
The participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity, and
"We even went on a field trip!" expressed Yuri Jordan, a beneficiary of the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) by DMW.
Representing DMW during this endeavor was Luchel Senarlo-Taniza, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer from the Welfare Reintegration Services Division (WRSD).
"The outcome of this activity left me in awe. It was truly enriching, informative, and inspiring. I can't thank the OWWA enough for this experience. It's left me eager to start my own backyard garden. We don't need to make it grand right away. We can start small, remain consistent, and see the fruits of our labor," she shared.
Participants in OFW programs stand to gain numerous advantages.- Economic Opportunities: By engaging in agribusiness, participants can discover profitable opportunities that could serve as an alternative source of income and sustainability.- Livelihood Fostering: This initiative helps create sustainable livelihoods, potentially reducing reliance on foreign employment and promoting self-sufficiency.- Skill Enhancement: The program likely offers training and education on agribusiness practices, enhancing the skills of participants.- Family Support: This program extends support to OFW families, offering meaningful activities and income generation opportunities during the absence of their loved ones.
All in all, the Agripreneur Journey aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of OFWs and their dependents by encouraging entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector. For more specific details on the program's structure and advantages, it's recommended to consult official sources.
- The Agripreneur Journey for OFWs and Dependents in Cebu Province aims to help participants discover potential economic opportunities in the agricultural sector.
- By participating in this program, OFWs and their dependents can enhance their skills in agribusiness practices, providing a more sustainable livelihood and potentially reducing the need for foreign employment.
- Maria Eloida O. Cantona, DMW RO-VII OIC-Regional Director, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration between DMW and OWWA, hoping that the participants will apply their newfound knowledge to pursue agripreneurship.
- Yuri Jordan, a beneficiary of the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) by DMW, was excited to have gone on a field trip as part of the Agripreneur Journey, expressing eagerness to start a backyard garden.
- Luchel Senarlo-Taniza, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer from the Welfare Reintegration Services Division (WRSD) of DMW, shared her awe and appreciation for the informative and inspiring nature of the Agripreneur Journey, and acknowledged the potential for lifelong learning in the fields of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, cooking, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth.
- As OFWs and their families continue to support the Cebu economy, cultural exchange occurs through initiatives like the Agripreneur Journey, fostering a greater appreciation for Cebu's rich cultural heritage and unique barangay communities.
- OFWs and their families can also find opportunities to engage in purposeful activities, supporting their overall health and well-being while pursuing entrepreneurship in areas like culture, fashion, and lifestyle.
- The Agripreneur Journey also creates opportunities for business and social connections, networking with like-minded individuals in the pursuit of knowledge, growth, and innovation.
- The Agripreneur Journey, by promoting sustainable livelihoods, contributes to the broader goal of preserving the environment and encouraging responsible business practices, aligning with the principles of science and modern agricultural methods.
