In the last few years, there has been a growing interest in sustainable and scalable agriculture businesses. Food security has been a hot topic especially in the wake of quarantine experienced during the pandemic, demonstrating a need for sustainability in Philippine agriculture.
This is where agripreneurship enters. It is a movement that hopes to transform the landscape of farming, increasing profitability and demand for local produce with the help of various new farming methods and business strategies. Agripreneurship is a new and still developing space, but one that has room for massive growth. It has huge potential to constitute to array of soil and economic development such as employment generation, income generation, and imprint in intuition, health and overall food security in the national economy.
When developers are in the business of real estate, there is usually not much focus on incorporating agriculture, much less agripreneurship. However, MyCitiHomes is going against the grain and envisioning a community where residents not only have access to fresh local produce, but have a key role in growing a community-based agricultural cooperative.
Kaway’an Ecofarm
This is the premise of Kaway’an Ecofarm, a three-hectare planned development in Cavite. Located adjacent to Sabella Village and just a stone’s throw away from the Tagaytay City, the ecofarm is envisioned to be a pioneer in community farming and environmental sustainability.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for Kaway’An Ecofarm was held in November 2020, attended by nearly 30 consultants and team members who have been tapped by MyCitiHomes to create this agricultural haven. This marks the start of Kaway’an EcoFarm and Kaway’an Agriventures.
“It’s not possible for MyCitiHomes to do this on our own, so if we want to do it well, it is important for us to involve reputable professionals who can help us make this vision a reality,” said MyCitiHomes and Kaway’an Eco Development, Inc. CEO Ms. Rosie Tsai. The private groundbreaking was held specifically to give credit to the team and showcase the initial progress in developing the area.
Kaway’an Ecofarm Groundbreaking from left: Herbie Teodoro – Harbest , Arch. Vic Dulloog – SGS Designs, Maria Cristina Buenviaje and Nicer Landas – Netforce, Engr. Jose Emie Siojo – Turbo Drip, Elizabeth Wang, General Manager – Kaway’an Eco-Development, Inc.(KEDI), Rosie Tsai – President MyCitiHomes and KEDI, Gigi Morris – Mocha Farms, Arch. Melvin Patawaran – Tropiks, Ed Busayong, John Wang – EVP MyCitiHomes, Engr. Herold dela Luna and Engr. Emie dela Cruz
Kaway’an Agri Ventures Groundbreaking from left: Rosie Tsai – President MyCitiHomes and KEDI, Elizabeth Wang, General Manager – Kaway’an Eco-Development, Inc.(KEDI), John Wang – EVP MyCitiHomes, Herbie Teodoro – Harbest, Engr. Boyet Grafil, Arch. Norman Guzman, Arch. Brian Everett Raduban, Engr. Reden Emata and Engr. Lezel John Venus
Ms. Tsai also highlighted the team’s commitment to the development of the ecofarm amidst the pandemic. Even through the pandemic, “God gave us enough resources to carve out funds for this project to push through.”
Sustainability at the forefront
Kaway’an Ecofarm will be a hub for community members and nearby residents to relax and thrive amidst nature. The farm will have various facilities to engage families, such as community gardens, picnic areas, a main pavilion and more. It will also be host to educational seminars on farming, agribusinesses, and living an eco-friendly lifestyle.
What makes this different from other ecotourism projects is that sustainability is at the forefront of the ecofarm’s objectives. Instead of being driven by just tourism, Kaway’an will be an integral part of the lifeblood of the community as it provides a convenient venue for exercise, family bonding, work, and is a food source. The farm will generate produce that can be sold to residents in the nearby areas or tourists alike.
In order to execute the project well, it was necessary to get the input of professionals who are experts in leisure property development, bamboo designs & construction, vegetable & fruit farming, and more. The vision of MyCitiHomes is for Kaway’an Ecofarm to be a shining example of what can be done when community building, care for the environment, and urban conveniences are put together.
By focusing on agripreneurship as a shared initiative, MyCitiHomes has effectively future-proofed communities, and made eco-conscious living more accessible to the middle-class Filipino.
MyCitiHomes has always been a developer that builds from the heart, as noted by 14 years of successfully making homeowners’ dreams come true. Now, it looks towards the future as the company spearheads these initiatives to provide more value to the lives of their residents. These impactful ideas have the potential to be replicated in other communities, and will usher in modern Filipino families to be part of a better new normal.