Jiggy Manicad returns to TV to promote agripreneurship

Veteran broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad returned to television to empower the next generation of Filipino farmers through agripreneurship.

As the new host of the show AgriPreneur on GMA7, Manicad aims to "make agriculture great again" by promoting agri-business and the latest innovations in farming for Fiipinos.

"Karamihan sa mga Pilipino ay umaasa pa rin sa pagsasaka at pangingisda bilang kanilang pangunahing pamumuhay, pero ang problema ay konti lang ang palabas at pahayagang nagsusulong ng makabago at malikhaing pamamaraan para yumaman sa agrikultura. Iyan ang mga bagay na mapapanood niyo sa AgriPreneur," Manicad said in an interview.

According to the multi-awarded journalist, AgriPreneur will feature the latest innovations and procedures in farming that can increase the productivity of farmers. It will also showcase agri-business ideas that can appeal to both farmers and entrepreneurs. 

"This is a show for farmers who want to increase their profit and don't know what solutions are out there. This is also a show for citizens and entrepreneurs who want to invest in agri-business. The usual process of planting and harvesting is not enough. We need to be more creative to make agriculture great again in the Philippines," Manicad said.

He added, "Of course, AgriPreneur is also about the customers, the ordinary Filipinos. Tampok din dito yung mga produktong ginawa ng mga magsasaka na maaari nilang tangkilikin."

Manicad said that his new stint as host of AgriPreneur is "very close to his heart" since he grew up around farming communities in rural Laguna.

"Bilang mamamahayag, nakita ko rin na kung aangat ang sektor ng agrikultura, aangat din ang buhay ng milyon-milyong Pilipino. Mababa pa sa isang porsyento ang bilang ng mga maliliit na negosyo na may kinalaman sa agrikultura kaya't ipaglalaban natin ang pagdami pa ng mga agripreneur sa bansa," Manicad explained.

Manicad said this is also his contribution to keep the country informed and to help in ensuring food security amid climate change, saying, “Hindi man natin nararamdaman pero kailangan paghandaan ang epekto ng climate change sa food production ng bansa.”

AgriPreneur can be watched every Saturday, 5:00 AM, on GMA Channel 7.