our stakeholders
Weary of "dole out" with less impact, the founder realigned personal philanthropy funds to seed and personally manage these social enterprises. It's in the belief that teaching farmers how to plant rice makes more sense than giving them a daily bowl of it. Hence, Benjie decided to give up a frustrating golfing obsession in the Bay Area to get muddy with the farmers in the Philippines. A benevolent dictator, he runs this as a profitable business in order to keep helping the less fortunate.
Inspired, encouraged and supported by a college classmate Cito Lorenzo, they sowed the seeds of Iraya Farms. Dolores' dynamic mayor gave us the initial push and all-out support. SL Agritech's Henry Lim offered his "miracle rice" and Philphos' Chito Santos came in to provide the fertilizers. The Department of Agriculture headed by then Secretary Procy Alcala has committed to align with us. The DA has installed mechanical driers and a rice mill. A combine harvester is on the way. More stakeholders from both the private and public sectors and foreign entities have signified their support as we expanded. Tony Meloto and his army of volunteers continue with their values formation. The Philippine Army Engineering Brigade is helping us finish the farm to market road from Dolores to Iraya.
Inspired, encouraged and supported by a college classmate Cito Lorenzo, they sowed the seeds of Iraya Farms. Dolores' dynamic mayor gave us the initial push and all-out support. SL Agritech's Henry Lim offered his "miracle rice" and Philphos' Chito Santos came in to provide the fertilizers. The Department of Agriculture headed by then Secretary Procy Alcala has committed to align with us. The DA has installed mechanical driers and a rice mill. A combine harvester is on the way. More stakeholders from both the private and public sectors and foreign entities have signified their support as we expanded. Tony Meloto and his army of volunteers continue with their values formation. The Philippine Army Engineering Brigade is helping us finish the farm to market road from Dolores to Iraya.
CITO LORENZO - Through the inspiration, encouragement and support of this like-hearted college classmate Iraya Farms came to being. A true man for others, his expertise and experience in agri-business having run Lapanday Foods, arguably the country's most successful agri entity, Cito continues to guide Iraya Farms' vision. His goodwill and dedication inspires other stakeholders to help.
HENRY LIM - The father of 'hybrid rice', has untiringly propagated 'miracle rice' as a way to cover the country's rice demand-supply gap. This seed variety known to yield upwards of 350 cavans per hectare is what will ensure the continued success of Iraya Farms. He is so bullish with the SL8-H that he gambled on a 'plant now pay later' with us.
CHITO SANTOS - Another college classmate who successfully runs Philippine Phosphate, the nation's leading fertilizer firm, BMW, KIA and a GK advocate, has enough faith in Iraya Farms' vision, model and our people, to provide tons of inputs to grow the 'miracle rice' on a 120 days terms. Chito is also putting up an ethanol plant in Isabel, Leyte and will pre buy cassava from farmers as raw mats for this environment-friendly fuel alternative.
TONY MELOTO - The father of less fortunate Filipinos is the fuel that keeps the fire burning. Gawad Kalinga is more than just providing colorful homes to the poor. Its values formation programs and wholistic approach to social engineering is what will transform the Philippines out of poverty. Iraya Farms is the embodiment of GK's next phase: Social Artistry.
Feed the Hungry, Inc.
Feed the Hungry, Inc. has partnered with us through a cash infusion. While they are dole out disaster relief practioners, they believe in sustainable philathrophy. Mr. & Mrs. Pablo Alarcon and the Gaw family were the first donors during the floods that washed away homes and crops in Dolores, Eastern Samar.
FtHI is now building 4 classrooms for the Hilabaan High School is Hilabaan, Dolores, Eastern Samar.
Agro K
Harry Rajamanan of Agro K has provided us this amazing organic plant nutrition and soil conditioning system is responsible for the plant vigor shown here. Due to the plant's health, it is resistant to viruses and pests. Not only are the roots lengthy and voluminous, the panicles range from 25 to 30.
Headed by Gen. Holganza, Cols. Palafox and Quillana, AFP's National Development Command is finishing the farm to market road connecting Jicontol Valley to Dolores. This translates to immense handling and transport savings.
Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD)
DSWD has partnered with Iraya Farms through their Cash for Work/Training program. From the dole out Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries, Iraya Farms will train and put them to work. DSWD pays the trainees/workers 11 man days per month for 12 months. The goal is to get the poor employed and keep them working. The ultimate goal is to wean them to self-sufficiency.
