FARMVOCATE: a rice subscription + grower sponsorship program

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For many decades, the Filipino rice farmer has lived knowing two familiar cycles: the first is of planting and harvest; the other, a cycle of poverty.

While the first is necessary for his living, we, at FARMVOCACY, believe the other is not.

However, current farming systems continuously conspire to keep the farmer entrenched in a cycle of poverty. Among them:

• High interest rates for farming loans (up to 5%-8% per month; usually through “loan sharks”)

• Low yield on harvest time due to outdated farming practices

• Opportunistic traders who buy the yield below market value

• Influx of imported rice from neighboring Asian countries

• No access to markets where they can sell their produce for profit

With the farmer already living on an average daily wage of just $3, we at FARMVOCACY, would like to step up to the plate on the farmer’s behalf; and we invite you to join us by becoming a Farmvocate.

Our intent is to uplift the lives of farmers by improving their means of living. We will make this possible by disrupting the current system and removing the unprincipled middlemen (loan sharks/traders) from the farming cycle. Furthermore, we will make this agricultural reboot sustainable by involving the community.

In this model of Farmvocate - rice subscription and grower sponsorship program – which counts you, rice consumers, and other concerned individuals – directly participates in the FUNDING and PURCHASE of the farmers’ produce through a system of subscription. This guarantees that farmers are fairly funded and their produce bought at a fair price.

In exchange for Php1,000 cash donation, a Farmvocate will receive 2/kg. disount from our sustainably-grown, high-quality rice for 6 months months. 

Through implementing a fairer farming system, FARMVOCACY will offer farmers:

• provision of sustainable, certified-organic farm inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) that increase yield by 40%

• training growers climate-smart, environment friendly and sustainable system of growing rice. 

• assist them in securing guaranteed market for their produce by connecting them directly to consumers. 

Our initial beneficiaries will be the rice farmers of Mindoro – an island known for growing the Dinorado rice variant, regarded for its aroma and delicacy. It is also the island where the poorest rice farmers are. Because Mindoro is an island, most of the farmers there pay more for farm inputs and get less for their farm produce. This is because the inputs and harvested rice need to be shipped to and from the main island of Luzon, where the highly urbanized cities are located. 

Our Tipping Point

We are targeting to support 200 growers and connect them to 4,000 Farmvocates who will provide these farmers guaranteed market for their produce and at the same time sponsor Php1,000 in exchange to a special discount for rice bought at Farmvocacy.

This sponsorship fee will go to:

• grower partner's seed funding requirements for their planting requirements for the next cropping
• training expenses to support our effort in educating farmers about sustainable farming technology that has the potential to double farmers’ yield per hectare
• provide technical support to all grower partners at the start of the planting season until their harvest
• support our community development program that will help growers live their dream of having a dignified life. 

Your sponsorship will go a long way to increase farmers income and remove their dependence on traders who lend them production loans at high interest rate while buying thier produce at a very low price.

Our Stretched Goal

But why stop with our tipping point when we can help more growers. Please help us reach our stretch target of supporting 400 grower and connect them with 8,000 families who will both buy their produce and sponsor. 

We are targeting to uplift as many farmers' lives as we can through this campaign.  

Help us reach the number of Farmvocates by selecting the subscription model below based on your taste and budget. We will send to your email your unique discount coupon code within 24-hours upon receiving your sponsorship so you can start enjoying discounts from our rice brands!

Please help us spread the word by sharing our campaign to your friends and family.

Thank you for your support!