“MAGTANIM ay ‘di biro,” goes a popular saying in the Philippines. Yet, the reality for many of our farmers is far from amusing. In a nation where more than a third of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, it is disheartening to see that those who till the soil and provide us with sustenance often remain trapped in a cycle of poverty. This stark reality is what drives many social entrepreneurs to venture into the agricultural sector, seeking to create inclusive growth and empower farming communities.
However, as our recent study, “Farming is not a joke: The entrepreneurship ecosystem of agricultural social enterprises,” published in Emerald’s Social Responsibility Journal, reveals the path to success for these agricultural social enterprises is not without its challenges. The authors from De La Salle University, Angelica Marie Therese Lorenz, Peter Padre, Joanna Kathleen Ramos, Adrian Mabalay, Patch Aure, and Angelique Blasa-Cheng, explored the entrepreneurship ecosystem of agricultural social enterprises in the Philippines, focusing on the interactions between policy, culture, supports, and human capital domains. What we found was a complex tapestry of strengths and disconnects. As we note, “each domain functions effectively individually, disconnects exist when interacting collectively as an ecosystem.”
One of the key stumbling blocks we identified is the lack of a clear definition for social enterprises, which hinders the development of targeted policies. “There is difficulty in passing policies encompassing social entrepreneurship because there is no consensus yet on the exact definition of social enterprises,” we observe. This ambiguity has stalled the passing of the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (Present) Bill, a crucial piece of legislation that could provide much-needed support.
However, amid these challenges, we found glimmers of hope. The presence of successful agricultural social enterprises serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs. As one of our respondents shared, “To become a social entrepreneur means that you are impacting people’s lives. So, if you cannot take it to the end, do not even start.” These stories of passion and perseverance inspire others to follow suit, driven by a desire to create social impact.
Access to support services, such as incubators and accelerators, emerged as another critical factor. However, we found that “awareness and accessibility vary based on location and business maturity.” This highlights the need for greater outreach and tailored support mechanisms that cater to the specific needs of agricultural social enterprises at different stages of their journey.
The role of human capital in bridging knowledge gaps and translating concepts into actionable frameworks cannot be overstated. Our study underscores the importance of “adapting traditional business frameworks and concepts, conducting formal training and lectures to different stakeholders, and ensuring a healthy supply in the talent pool of social entrepreneurs.” While there are educational programs focused on agriculture and social entrepreneurship, more specialized research is needed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.
Perhaps the most resounding message from our research is the call for collaboration and openness across all domains of the ecosystem. “The most significant lesson that most social entrepreneurs imparted is the importance of asking for help,” we note. “They believe that the reason why most social enterprises fail is because they fail to ask for help from the rest of the players in the ecosystem.” Building strong relationships, seeking mentorship, and leveraging networks are crucial for accessing resources and expertise.
For policymakers, our study highlights the need to work hand-in-hand with social enterprises to craft enabling policies that recognize their unique challenges and contributions. Support organizations must design interventions that address the specific needs of agricultural ventures, taking into account factors such as location, business maturity, and sociocultural context.
As researchers and educators, we remain committed to nurturing the roots of change. Through our work, we hope to inspire more individuals to take up the mantle of social entrepreneurship, armed with the knowledge and support they need to succeed. Together, we can sow the seeds of a more equitable and sustainable future, one where the labors of our farmers are justly rewarded.
In the words of one of our respondents, “As a social entrepreneur, I feel a deep sense of accountability to the communities we serve. It’s not just about making a profit; it’s about creating lasting social impact and improving people’s lives.” This is the driving force behind agricultural social enterprises, and it is our collective responsibility to support them in their mission.
Adrian A. Mabalay is a full-time faculty member of De La Salle University’s Department of Management and Organization. [email protected].
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