- Philippine agriculture posts 5.7% growth in Q2 2025, driven by crops and poultry, despite persistent food insecurity.
- Bounty Fresh Group CEO Kenneth Cheng urges rebranding agriculture as a platform for innovation, growth, and national pride.
- Company invests in training, scholarships, and modern agri-career pathways to prepare the next generation of professionals.
The Philippine agricultural industry is demonstrating resilience, with 5.7 percent growth in the second quarter of 2025, led by strong growth in crops and poultry. Kenneth Cheng, Fresh Group president and Bounty Fresh Group Holdings Inc. CEO, said that this growth is an affirmation of the potential of the sector. Still, Cheng explained that accompanying this success is the stark reality that more than 51 million Filipinos continue to live with food insecurity.
The Philippines remains susceptible to global shocks, climate change issues, and an aging farm population as well. Cheng insists that the indifference among young people to take up careers in agriculture worsens the problem. For decades, the sector has been perceived as old-fashioned, relating to manual work, and being limited to the farm gate. But Cheng is convinced that it's time to shatter this old perception.
In Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, they are reforming agriculture into a growth platform, an arena of innovation, and a source of pride. "Our mission is clear: We innovate more to enhance the lives of families through life's abundance. Agriculture is not only an industry for us, but it's a platform of growth, innovation, and pride", Cheng said.
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The company is also dedicated to highlighting the various career opportunities in agriculture, ranging from animal care and nutrition to technology and supply chain management. Cheng emphasized the different careers that can be found in the sector, including GPS stockman, research and development, feed formulation, veterinary science, and food safety. These careers show that agriculture is not just about manual work anymore but includes science, precision, and innovation.
As a response to the problems of the industry, Bounty Fresh Group Holdings believes in preparing Filipinos with the appropriate skills and opportunities in agriculture. By their Annual Technical Training, Management Trainee Program, and in-house certifications, they enhance technical skills and leadership competencies.
Their scholarship programs under Bounty Cares Foundation are also an investment in the minds of the next generation that will forge a stronger and food-sufficient future for the Philippines. Cheng opines that by investing in talent and going the innovation way, the agriculture industry could be a high-impact professional vocation.
"At Bounty, we are determined to create a future where each Filipino family has access to food that is safe and affordable. We aim to make the agriculture industry a source of national pride and a potent engine for shared prosperity", he added.
