John Gastanes: Pioneering the Future of Agriculture with Farm Konekt

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Farm Konekt, a Philippine-based agri-tech platform, is expanding its role in advancing agricultural innovation and community development across the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), led by its chief executive officer John Vincent Gastanes.

Gastanes, who founded the platform, has been promoting the use of technology and sustainable practices to address long-standing challenges faced by farmers and fisherfolk, including limited market access, fragmented supply chains, and low productivity.

Farm Konekt operates as an agri-fishery accelerator and incubator, providing farmers with technical support, consultancy services, and access to digital tools. The platform also facilitates supply and demand matching, linking producers to buyers and helping expand market opportunities.

Officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize agriculture through data-driven systems and improved resource management. Farm Konekt also promotes sustainable farming practices, including the use of precision agriculture tools and environmentally responsible production methods.

The company’s approach includes organizing farmers and fisherfolk into clusters to improve coordination, strengthen bargaining power, and encourage collective growth within rural communities.

Gastanes has also been working with government agencies, non-government organizations, and private sector partners to strengthen agricultural systems and improve service delivery to farmers. These partnerships aim to support capacity-building programs and expand the reach of digital agriculture solutions.

Industry observers noted that Farm Konekt’s initiatives contribute to socio-economic development in farming communities by improving income opportunities and enhancing productivity.

As the platform continues to expand across the BIMP-EAGA subregion, Gastanes said the goal remains to create a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector through innovation, collaboration, and community-based development.