If this man strikes a chord of familiarity, it might be due to his notable presence in a past interview on the popular national TV network, CNN Philippines. Now, meet Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven, not only the City Agriculturist of Butuan City but also the Project Lead of AgriBOOST - an agri-ecosystem innovation project that placed Butuan City on the global map after being announced as one of the Grand Winners in the 2022 Bloomberg Global Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge competition.

"AgriBOOST is about enabling farmers to increase production, income, and participation. It is a solution that leverages technology to aid decision-making and eliminate layers of middlemen," noted Engr. Joven.

Implementing the AgriBOOST project was not without its challenges. “Before the project was conceptualized, only 18% of the vegetables in the city were locally produced”. Engr. Joven identified existing issues such lack of contract growing agreements and volatile commodity prices.

Undeterred, his team along with some project partners crafted a solution—a software application predicting demand and price. Additional components of the project included a contract growing agreement that assured farmgate prices and the elimination of layers of middlemen.

"Unpredictable weather patterns and behavioral problems of farmers presented challenges. We overcame them by using technologies such as the use of UV plastic mulch among others at the same time fostering strong partnerships with agencies and the academe," he added.

Fast forward to today, the AgriMart mobile app has empowered vendors to pre-order vegetables since December 2022. The AgriHub, operational since March 17, 2023, buys produce at farmgate prices, ensuring a constant supply to vendors at socialized wholesale rates. Weekly deliveries now average around 8,000 kilograms.

According to Engr. Joven, the project has involved 50 farmers and 48 vendors, fostering community collaboration. "The success of AgriBOOST lies in the commitment of farmers and vendors. It is a testament to the power of collaboration," he emphasized.

Looking ahead, Engr. Joven envisioned Butuan City as a Smart Agri City.  He said “The City Government has this mantra: ‘Ang Himsog nga Agrikultura, Lagsik nga Ekonomiya, Padulong sa Lagsik nga Dakbayan’ which translates ‘A Healthy Agriculture, Robust Economy, a Road Towards a Robust City’. With this mantra, we are focused on establishing an agriculture economic zone in Taguibo-Cabcabon area, more agri-fishery processing zones, semi-commercial scale production in livestock and priority high-valued crops, and the establishment of more model farms. With the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, we have already delineated the protection and production areas. There will be increased production in agriculture and forestry areas leading towards achieving food security.”

He also looked forward to the AgriBOOST platform being replicated in other commodities like poultry, swine, livestock, and other food crops with assured profitability for farmers.

Beyond AgriBOOST, Engr. Joven mentioned a local initiative that is already underway which is the Butuan City Rice Research Center, a soon-to-be 19-hectare facility with a state-of-the-art solar-powered irrigation system. This center aims to become a farm school for rice farmers practicing organic rice farming.

With a wealth of experience, Engr. Joven advises aspiring agricultural extension workers: "Credibility, innovativeness, and teamwork are our guiding principles. Demonstrate integrity, competence, and excellence in your work. Be innovative, especially in the delivery of basic service to your clients, and also never forget to foster a culture of teamwork among your peers."

Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven's triumph as a City Agriculturist is not just about individual achievements; it is a narrative of community collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development. As the city continues to grow, Engr. Joven remains dedicated to driving positive change in Butuan City's agriculture and fisheries, setting an inspiring example for future leaders.