Labor Market Intelligence Study for Fruits and Vegetables Processing Sector, Rolled Out in several Regional Areas in the Philippines

TAGUIG, Philippines - With the goal of addressing the job-skills mismatch in the agri-industry, Labor Market Intelligence Study (LMI) for the Fruits and Vegetables and Processing Sector was conducted to identify the future skills need and industry recommendations for the workforce development of the sector.

The LMI was developed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Human Resources Development Foundation (PCCIHRDF) Inc. for A Future that Works, a workforce development program supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Philippine Business for Education (PBEd).

Following its official launch last August 11, 2022, the market study started its local implementation in several key regional areas in the Philippines. The major areas include South Luzon, North Luzon and Northern Mindanao. The following are known top agriculture areas in the country and are part the selected areas included in the data gathering process of the study.

The localization aims to present the recommendations and overview of the necessary skills needed by the sector to a more targeted set of audience. Furthermore, it aims to gather other possible inputs from various stakeholders for the continuous development of the LMI research.

The first local presentation was rolled out during the 5th Food and Beverage Expo (FABEX) held last August 18-20, 2022, in Pili, Camarines Sur and hosted by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (CSCCI).

As a part of the chamber’s goal of strengthening and boosting the local food and hospitality sector in the Bicol region, the CSCCI organized key stakeholders from the food and beverage manufacturing industry, relevant government agencies, local entrepreneurs, students, educators, and suppliers, among others.

Mr. Marlon Miña, the Executive Director of PCCIHRDF believes that aside from having practical demonstrations, the participants can use the results of this market study as a guide in knowing their industry’s future skills need.

“Our topic is important because this LMI study looks at the skills requirements of the sector. With technological advancements coming in and reshaping the direction of the food processing sector, it is incumbent that the stakeholders look not only at the supply chain but also the types of knowledge, skills, competencies, and qualifications of their human resources to implement all these changes and innovations.”  Miña said during PCCIHRDF’s presentation.

Branching on to the next, the LMI was presented at the Mindanao Food Congress (MFC) Oro Best Exposition in Cagayan De Oro, Misamis Oriental last October 26 - 30, 2022. The market study was selected under the discussion of the 3rd plenary session, ‘Transforming Mindanao Agriculture towards a Food-Future’.

This congress took a deep dive on the gaps in the island-region’s agriculture and food supply chain network with focus on addressing the food security, empowering the marginalized sector in the food industry, support diverse distribution efforts, among others.

Ms. Melissa Guino, Project Research Officer of PCCIHRDF, discussed the importance of labor in the agri-industry, and relevance of the LMI’s findings in improving the human resource of the sector.

“The labor force is the foundation of the agri-industry. Knowing and doing necessary steps to address the skills gap in the sector, we can improve and transform our country into having a more food-secure future.” Guino mentioned.

During the plenary session, the PCCIHRDF is joined by the First Secretary, Economic and Commerce of Embassy of India; the President of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura, II; and the ​​President of National Academy of Science and Technology & Project Leader of STI Foresight, Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza.

The MFC is attended by several government policymakers, business leaders, farmers, and stakeholders, the following resource persons invited, together with the Oro Chamber held a thorough discussion on policy issues and drawn recommendations to help transform and sustain Mindanao towards a resilient Agriculture.

The last LMI local presentation was concluded during the the Market Matchmaking Activity of DTI Baguio Benguet, held last November 14-15, 2022 at Baguio City, Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region.

The Market Matching Activity is aims to provide opportunity to market access and market expansion through the promotion of their products and thereby increasing sales and assist fruits and vegetables processors to establish market links. Among their main attendees were the local processors of the region, food and retail business stakeholders, and packaging ang logistics suppliers.

The PCCIHRDF was invited by the organizers of the event DTI Bagui Benguet, and Layad Di Kordilyera through a leadership of their chairwoman, Ms. Helena Butigan. Currently, Ms. Butigan holds a membership in the Fruits and Vegetables Processing Sector Skills Council (SSC).

The 1st day of the activity covers the market making of the F&VP Processors to Institutional, grocery stores and hotels in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Mr. Marlon Miña was invited to discuss over the programs and projects offered for the Fruits and Vegetables Processing. ‘A Future that Works’ Program and the discussion of the F&VP SSC formation has been the highlight of the presentation.

The 2nd day held the supplier’s forum and the presentation of the LMI to the fruits and Vegetables Processing local stakeholders. Like the previous ones, the LMI covered the discussion on the finding in upskilling and reskilling of workforce, followed by the Preparing for Furture Skills and recommendations.

The event was concluded through the conduct Business to Business session with all the stakeholders present—a portion allotted for introductions and one-on-one consultation. As per the results of the activity, the LMI has been considerably well received by the attendees, most especially the main target of the study, which are the stakeholders coming F&VP Processing sector.