The Department of Agriculture-Caraga through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) laid various investment opportunities in the agriculture industry among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

A total of 75 OFWs from Caraga region participated in the recently conducted Agribusiness Investment Forum for OFWs last August 29-30 at Butuan City. They were introduced to various choices where they can invest their money and let it grow through farming.

“The activity opens possible windows for business related to agriculture and give them options to continue building their resources. We want to encourage and offer investment areas where OFWs would be interested to venture with,” said Agribusiness Investment & Promotion Section Chief Rey Frias.

According to Frias, the activity is in response to the Department’s goal of providing people easy access to investment opportunities.

Edwin Baclaya Jr, a waiter for an international cruise ship for sixteen years said that the forum was a great help for OFWs as it helped them learn how to invest their money wisely.

“It is the right time to change course, to change my plan because not all the time I will be working abroad. I need to stay for my family. All I have invested, I will use it as a stepping stone to open the door for agribusiness,” Baclaya added.

Various opportunities were discussed including poultry raising, swine, goat, and duck raising small-scale production, and contract growing scheme for cacao and abaca.

In addition, reintegration programs and financing options for OFWs were also discussed to teach them what government programs they could rely on to start their businesses.

DA is closely working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) for those overseas Filipino workers interested to venture in agribusiness. (Rhea C. Abao, DA-Information Section)