These farmers grow your food, but they can't afford to eat—this social enterprise is changing that

Tatler Asia

6 days ago

Root of the dream
Marinduque, an island province once marred by poverty and environmental degradation, became the fertile ground for Agrea's pioneering model: the One-Island Economy. This holistic approach integrates social, environmental and economic sustainability, aiming for zero hunger, zero waste and zero insufficiency.
'We started with the One-Island Economy Model in Marinduque, which showed that self-sustaining agricultural ecosystems could work,' Atilano explains. This model integrated local farming, environmental preservation, community training and direct market access, demonstrating that holistic approaches can yield tangible results.
Agrea also introduced the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a method that increased yields while reducing water usage and input costs. It helped farmers increase their yields by fourfold and decreased their farm inputs cost to 70 per cent. Beyond rice, farmers diversified into high-value crops like turmeric and serpentina, tapping into both local and international markets.
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'Agrea has evolved from a small initiative into a movement that empowers farmers, educates young people and influences policy-making,' Atilano notes. The organisation's reach now spans farmer capacity-building programs, youth engagement campaigns and sustainability-driven agribusiness ventures across the Philippines.
Since its founding, Agrea has impacted more than 30,000 individuals across farming, fishing and youth communities. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Agrea launched the #MoveFoodInitiative, successfully transporting nearly 138,000 kilogrammes of fruits and vegetables from almost 4,000 farmers, reaching nearly 30,000 families. This initiative helped prevent food waste and provided essential support to farmers and consumers during a critical time.
At the centre of Agrea's mission is the belief that farmers don't need saving. They need systems that work to address the root causes of poverty and instability in the agricultural sector. Planting new seeds
Above A big part of Agrea is its women farmers (Photo: Agrea)
To address the persistent challenges in agriculture, Agrea had to go deeper than surface-level aid, focusing on three core pillars: capacity building, market linkages, and policy and advocacy.
First, in the capacity-building area, Agrea trains farmers in 'climate-smart and sustainable farming methods,' equipping them to increase productivity while preserving their environment.
Then there's the market linkages. 'We connect farmers directly to buyers, ensuring fair prices and reducing dependence on exploitative middlemen,' she notes. This is one of Agrea's most transformative moves: cutting out intermediaries who often take the lion's share of profits and restoring control and income to the producers themselves.
The third pillar—policy and advocacy—is where Atilano's strategic thinking truly shines. 'We work with government agencies and institutions to create lasting policy changes that benefit smallholder farmers.'
This empowerment extended to women, who, despite legal and societal barriers, found new roles as agricultural entrepreneurs. "If you invest in women in farming communities, it's an investment in the entire community," Atilano asserts.
These interventions have produced success stories. 'One of my favourite success stories is about a woman farmer in Marinduque who joined our programme with little knowledge of modern farming,' Atilano recalls. 'Today, she not only provides for her family but also mentors other farmers in her community.'
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'Technology and innovation are key to Agrea's work,' she adds. The group uses everything from farm digitisation to precision agriculture and digital marketplaces. 'We use data-driven approaches to help farmers make informed decisions… and connect them to digital marketplaces, ensuring fair trade and transparency.'
The results are higher yields, lower costs and most surprisingly, a newfound appeal to the youth. 'We're also seeing younger people become more interested in agriculture because of the tech-driven opportunities,' she adds.
In recognition of her impactful work, Atilano has received numerous accolades, including the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur award in 2017, COVID-19 Action Champion by UN Women in 2020, and being named a 2024 Young Global Leader Mastercard Fellow by the World Economic Forum. As one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential, she also received the Impact Award for Humanity in 2024. A harvest of hope
'Agrea operates as a social enterprise,' Atilano explains. 'We believe that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. When farmers thrive, the economy grows.' Rather than relying on handouts, Agrea generates revenue through agribusiness solutions, farmer training and sustainable supply chains. This allows the organisation to reinvest in its mission without compromising its core values.
'Unlike traditional aid, Agrea doesn't give handouts. We create long-term solutions that empower farmers to become self-sufficient,' Atilano says. 'Many charity models focus on short-term relief, but we invest in education, policy change and economic empowerment so that farmers don't have to rely on aid in the future.'
'One of the biggest challenges is changing mindsets—both within farming communities and in society at large. Many people still see farming as a low-income, low-respect profession'
- Cherrie Atilano -
The organisation works at every level of the ecosystem—empowering farmers with tangible results, equipping youth with a new narrative, and influencing public discourse. 'By highlighting success stories, we help shift perceptions and inspire a new generation of agripreneurs,' shares Atilano.
Systemic change is not for the faint of heart. It requires relentless optimism, deep patience and the ability to mobilise across silos. 'Engage policymakers, businesses and the general public,' she says. 'Systemic change requires a collective effort, and building partnerships has been key to amplifying our impact.'
For Atilano, despite the long odds and daunting tasks ahead, every gain matters. 'The progress we've seen keeps us going,' she says. 'Every farmer who thrives, every young person who chooses agriculture, and every community that becomes more food-secure is a step toward a more resilient and empowered future.'
In the fields of the Philippines, Agrea is showing what's possible when farmers are treated not as beneficiaries but as nation-builders.
Yet the question remains: in a country that eats because its farmers endure, how much longer can we afford to overlook the very hands that feed us?