Title: Strengthening Regional Agri-Trade: Farm Konekt Leads Market Immersion for Philippine-Brunei Halal Integration
- PZC
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
At Farm Konekt, we believe that meaningful partnerships begin on the ground—with shared values, bold ideas, and the courage to connect communities across borders.
On November 11–12, 2024, Farm Konekt, in partnership with Raybase SBN BHD, led a successful Market Immersion Program in Brunei Darussalam focused on bridging the gap between Philippine agricultural producers and Brunei’s growing halal industry. The visit was marked by strategic engagements with Brunei Halal and Wasan Milling Corporation, underscoring our shared vision for inclusive, sustainable, and cross-border trade within the BIMP-EAGA region.
🔍 Purpose and Highlights
The main goal of this initiative was to explore opportunities to introduce pre-processed agricultural products, including clustered rice produce from the Philippines, into Brunei’s halal-certified market. With both nations having strong agricultural capabilities, the dialogue centered on co-developing trade pathways that improve access to quality, halal-compliant food products and empower smallholder farmers and fisherfolk in both countries.
Some key highlights include:
✅ Strategic market discussions on integrating Farm Konekt’s clustering and digital matchmaking systems for enhanced agri-supply chain efficiency.
✅ A shared commitment to collaboration from Brunei Halal and Wasan Milling, laying the foundation for future joint ventures.
✅ A focus on building sustainable trade partnerships that strengthen food security, regional trade access, and economic resilience across BIMP-EAGA.
🚧 Challenges and Areas for Growth
While the momentum is strong, our team also identified areas for improvement. Logistical limitations and the need for better alignment on halal certification processes remain important tasks. These are not setbacks, but signals—guiding us on what to refine, whom to engage, and where to innovate next.
💡 The Power of Shared Vision
“Our goal is not just to create a trade route between the Philippines and Brunei but to create lasting, sustainable partnerships that empower both farmers and communities in the BIMP-EAGA region.”— John Vincent Gastanes, CEO & Founder, Farm Konekt
With the support of our institutional collaborators—the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)—this immersion is only the beginning.
Our work continues to center on technology for good, clustering for impact, and trade models that prioritize people over profit. By building trust, streamlining systems, and scaling smart solutions, Farm Konekt envisions a future where regional integration isn't just policy—it's lived, shared, and made real by every farmer and every cooperative we touch.
🌱 What’s Next?
This visit marked a milestone, but the journey is far from over. We're moving forward with:
Strengthening halal compliance for Philippine products
Developing smarter cold-chain logistics
Supporting Filipino cooperatives in preparing for international markets
Launching pilot trade models for clustered commodities in 2025
🙌 Thank You
To our hosts, partners, and the communities we serve—thank you for believing in our shared future. As we continue our mission to make agriculture inclusive, digital, and regionally connected, your support propels us forward.
Let’s grow together.