“Magdesisyon ka lang. Subukan mo lang. Simulan mo at isakatuparan mo ang iyong agribusiness,” advised Mr. Luis Bausa, President of Bausa Integrated Farm, during the AgriCREDITalk webinar series on June 2, 2022.

The episode entitled, “Starting a Sustainable Agribusiness” focused on the basic principles agripreneurs need to know before engaging in agri or fishery business. The webinar also featured the success story of Bausa Integrated Farm and the various programs it offers.

In starting an agribusiness, Mr. Bausa said that one should have a clear vision; that one should envision himself three to five years from the start of the business. He enumerated five important steps to follow to ensure the success of a business venture: first, establish goals and objectives in venturing in such an agribusiness. Second, create a business plan to be able to sustain and manage your enterprise. Third, create a production plan on how are you going to do your business. Fourth, implement your plans for your enterprise. And last, monitor performance to see if everything is according to your business plan.

Mr. Bausa pointed the importance of agribusiness as seen during the height of the pandemic.  “Isang negosyo na nanatili noong panahon ng pandemya at nakatulong sa ating ekonomiya ay ang may kaugnayan sa pagsasaka dahil ang pagkain ay pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino.

ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola, in her message, also emphasized the importance of having an agri-fishery business. “Noong kasagsagan ng pagdami ng kaso ng COVID-19, nakita natin ang impact ng pandemya sa ating food supply. Bukod sa pahirapan sa pagproduce at pagbiyahe ng mga agri-fishery commodities, marami din ang nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil sa lockdown. Dahil dito mas naiintindihan natin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng sariling negosyo sa agrikultura at pangisdaan,” she said.

Exec. Dir. Badiola added that, the DA-ACPC is aware that potential borrowers of agri-fishery credit programs need help, particularly the start-up businesses, in the preparation of their business plan not only for loan approval, but to ensure the success of their agribusiness. Thus, the DA-ACPC has engaged the Bausa Integrated Farm as a partner in mentoring loan applicants in the preparation of business plan and farm plan and budget for their start-up project or agribusiness.

When asked for advice on what to do in order not to lose hope if one’s agribusiness fails, Mr. Bausa said, that one should not give up. “Sa isang negosyo, mayroon tayong finish line. Hindi mo mararating ang finish line kung hindi ka titinding o tatayo kapag ikaw ay nadapa. Pilitin mong marating ang finish line. Huwag kang susuko. Huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa.”

For the youth, Mr. Bausa has this to say, “Magbabago ang iyong buhay at makakapagmanage ka ng sarili mong negosyo kapag nagventure ka sa agribusiness. Babaguhin nito ang buhay mo at sasagana ang iyong kabuhayan. May pera sa sector ng agrikultura.”

Mr. Bausa is the President of Bausa Integrated Farm, an institution accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and a partner of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the DA-ACPC in giving technical and vocational education and training courses in agriculture.

He is thankful to the DA-ACPC for tapping his farm as a partner in providing training to farmers and fisherfolk.  “Kaakibat ninyo ang Bausa Integrated Farm para sa pagbabago ng buhay ng bawat magsasaka at pamilyang Pilipino,” said Mr. Bausa.   

Bausa Integrated Farm projects: