A Heart for Agri

Like other dreamers of agriculture business, Jehanel Soriano does not hesitate to pursue her goal: to be a successful agri-prenuer. Although there is no overnight success, Jehanel is motivated.

Her first step towards farming was when she took Bachelors’ Degree in Agribusiness at Central Luzon State University. Upon finishing college, she applied to DA-CVRC at Ilagan City, Isabela. Working in the agriculture sector made Jehanel appreciate farmers as essential food producers who are at the forefront of agriculture. This made her set aside her corporate career to experience the life of a full-time farmer and agri-preneur. She knew that her heart was set for agriculture.

Before finally deciding to change the course of her life at the age of 24, she was already in farm business. Jehanel manages an agriculture supply shop. However, her farm business journey formally started when she became a farm owner. Located at San Juan, Ilagan City, Isabela, Jehanel built JESLA Integrated Farm.

A STEPPING STONE IN FARM LIFE

With the help of the Local Government Unit – City Agriculture Office of Ilagan City, Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center II (ATI-RTC 02), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), her farm is a certified farm school under Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The JESLA Integrated Farm offers Farmers’ Field School on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization to at least 300 farmers now. This prepares farmers to adapt modern rice farming technologies, and elevates their knowledge and skills.

Established in 2020, the one-hectare farm offers various commodities such as rice, poultry (chicken and fish), livestock, high-value crops, among others. Also, their farm offers services like fishing, egg-picking, and technical assistance on organic agriculture. Jehanel came up with various projects to improve the farm.

To acquire more knowledge and enhance her skills, Jehanel untiringly attended seminars and trainings of ATI-RTC 02 and other partner agencies. She believes that learning is a continuous process which anyone must keep on for additional knowledge and acquire skills to be better or even best.

“Right now, I’m proud to say that I’m a farmer who is always willing to learn and experience more about farming to teach the young and aspiring farmers for our future generation,” she mentioned.

A YOUNG AGRI-PRENEUSHIP ENTHUSIAST

Aside from managing a farm school, Jehanel ventured into egg layer production. As soon as this took off, she decided to devote her time to farm business.  Amidst the surge of COVID-19 in 2020, she grew her egg business; gaining more clients as time passed by. 

She sells fresh white and brown eggs in trays offering farm gate price to distributors, wholesalers, resellers, retailers, and consumers. She ensures not any single egg is wasted. She used broken eggs in making Leche flan.  She also sells cull chickens. Jehanel was gradually succeeding in the agri-business world.

When she sought help from the Department of Agriculture, she was given financial assistance for the expansion of their layer production through Agri-Negosyo Loan Program (ANYO).

“Bilang isang agri-preneur, napakarami kong pangarap na gawin pero mahirap talagang simulan kapag wala kang kapital. Kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa DA dahil nabigyan ako ng oportunidad na palaguin pa ang layer production business ko sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga programa na ino-offer na nakakatulong sa mga farmers na katulad ko,” she shared.

To grow her client reach, Jehanel utilizes social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Their daily posts in Facebook helped increase their income on layer production and promote the farm. 

“Napakalaking tulong ng pagpo-post ko sa social media o pagbebenta through online dahil mas dumami ang aming mga clients at mga sinusuplayan ng itlog. Dito ko nakikita na may kagandahan rin ang paggamit ng social media para mas makilala pa ng nakararami ang tulad kong young agri-preneur,” she said.

A graduate of the Training of Trainers on Digital Agriculture Course for RCEF (DAC4RCEF) in October 2021, Jehanel became more equipped in applying digital agriculture in her farm life. She also believes that the training benefits farmers by helping them match the pace with the advancing digital technologies.

Prior to TOT on DAC4RCEF, Jehanel was already an actual creator for the digital world as a vlogger. During the onset of the pandemic, together with her partner Einar de Mesa, they started a YouTube channel (@TeamJenarOfficial). Here, they post their vlogs about farming and agri-business. She uses this opportunity to promote her business and to encourage people to venture in agriculture.

AN EMPOWERED WOMEN-FARMER AND AGRI-PRENEUR

As a farm-owner and a facilitator, educating the farmers with the needed knowledge is one of her desires. It is challenging especially when she encounters farmers with different attitudes, beliefs, and ages. However, this made her more motivated to stick to her purpose; to empower farmers in achieving better yield and higher income.

A mother of her newborn Isabelle which is now one of her motivations, Jehanel had another milestone. She was awarded with the ‘Go Negosyo Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur for 2022’ grant with “Most Promising Microenterprise” of Kapatid Mentor Program (KAMMP)”. This was given during the conduct of Go Negosyo Women 2022 Entrepreneurship Summit on March 11, 2022 along with other 17 Outstanding Women. National level acknowledgement as a strong-woman farmer and entrepreneur was momentous for Jehanel.

“Ipagpatuloy lang po ninyo ang mga nasimulan niyo, mahirap pero dapat kakayanin palagi lalo na kung passion mo ang farming. At dapat maging explorer tayo, huwag po tayong mag-stick sa iisang commodity like rice, dapat lahat i-enjoy nating pag-aralan at mag-engage tayo in different agriculture field”, she advised her fellow farmers and agri-preneur.

Started from empowering one’s self, Jehanel continues helping her fellow farmers to improve their farm situations. Through the heart that beats for agriculture, she aims to contribute in achieving sustainable agriculture and the best quality of life for people from all walks of life.