Agriculture plays a significant role in any country’s economic development. It is the backbone of the world’s food supply chain and provides jobs for millions globally.  However, farmers face numerous challenges in their undying quest to produce food efficiently and sustainably. The lack of access to the proper knowledge and resources to increase productivity and profitability is topping the list.

Fortunately, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have devised innovative ways to help farmers overcome these setbacks. One of these revolutionary agricultural groups is THINNKFARM, INC.

THINNKFARM, formerly known as MinndMap, aims to unlock the maximum potential of Filipino farmers by conducting capacity-building seminars while continuously bridging the gap between local producers and commercial buyers. Ariestelo ‘Aries’ Asilo, an agri-entrepreneur and Founder of this noble movement, said that they will teach farmers how to optimize their resources, such as land, water, and seeds, to achieve maximum yields and quality harvest through on-site training.

Dubbed as “ThinnkEduc”, Aries and his group have initiated efforts to establish a pioneering TESDA-accredited school for agri-business in the Philippines. Once final and approved, It will offer free vocational courses in crop production (NCI to NCIII), hog raising (NC II), fish farming (NCI), and food processing.

“Our vision is to be the leading innovation hub for agriculture and agro-entrepreneurship,” Aries said.

“We will start with individual skills development for farmers which will lead us to advance the entire farming industry in the country,” he added.

On the other hand, THINNKFARM also hopes to establish online trading platforms through a separate program called “ThinnkMarket”. Here, farmers can directly sell their products to consumers using effective marketing strategies.

Under this three-way collaboration, farmers will get the chance to receive grants and loan capital from fair and legal financing institutions, too.

“Through this setup, we can eliminate the active participation of middlemen and ensure that farmers get fair prices for their products,” Aries stated.

“We also understand the need for a monetary catalyst if we want to scale the farming business. That’s why we will open “financial faucets” to farmers and let cashflow trickle down to the grassroots,” he added.

Meanwhile. THINNKFARM has recently partnered with a coffee manufacturing company called Varraco, Inc. for “Internet-of-Things” (IoT), a system that uses ground data from farmers to come up with targeted solutions to specific agricultural challenges. Under “ThinnkTech”, farmers will receive training on how to monitor climate and environmental factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient levels using IOT to improve their crop productivity.

Aries, along with several friends, began conceptualizing this noble idea as early as 2012 but remained mothballed until 2020. He now works with a technical team of young individuals from various fields of education, research, agriculture, enterprise development, banking, law, and business development.

The pandemic showed us how essential the food supply is. Now more than ever, it is essential for us to support NGOs like this so that they can continue sharing their expertise with ordinary farmers, particularly in developing countries where agriculture is a crucial sector of the country’s sustainable future. — RUFFIE NYHL CRUZ