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Farm Konekt as one of priority project at BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting 2023

Farm Konekt agri-technology platform, has been identified as one of the priority projects for food security collaboration under the Agro Supply Chain Management (ASCM) cluster of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). The designation was made during the BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting held from February 6 to 8 in Brunei, where officials and stakeholders from the subregion mapped out key initiatives for 2023 to 2025.

Mitchell GImena

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM — Farm Konekt agri-technology platform, has been identified as one of the priority projects for food security collaboration under the Agro Supply Chain Management (ASCM) cluster of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The designation was made during the BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting held from February 6 to 8 in Brunei, where officials and stakeholders from the subregion mapped out key initiatives for 2023 to 2025.

Farm Konekt is part of a multi-country program supported by the Government of South Korea aimed at addressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including limited market access and fragmented supply chains. The project seeks to establish an integrated system that links farmers to agritech platforms and supply chain networks across the BIMP-EAGA corridor.

The Farm Konekt delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer John Vincent Gastanes, included Chief Technology Officer Fheter John Calanday, Chief Financial Officer Stephen Costiniano, and Chief Strategy Officer Shellemai Roa. The team engaged with regional partners in Brunei to advance collaboration efforts under the initiative.

In coordination with the Puerto Princesa City Agriculture Office and the Department of Agriculture, Farm Konekt is working to connect smallholder producers to cross-border markets and digital systems, with the project scheduled to run until 2025.

As part of its expanded role, Farm Konekt is expected to collaborate with other BIMP-EAGA clusters, including information and communication technology, trade facilitation, trade and investment promotion, and human resource development. These partnerships aim to strengthen digital infrastructure, streamline cross-border trade processes, and support capacity-building programs for the agriculture sector.

Officials said the inclusion of Farm Konekt reflects growing efforts to enhance regional cooperation in agriculture and improve food security outcomes in the BIMP-EAGA subregion.