V&C Agrifarm, a food processor based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, has received the Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer from Nutri-Asia Inc. last August 30 at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The DOST-assisted firm is a supplier of NutriAsia Inc (NAI), the leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines.
The Innovation Trailblazer award was given to business pioneers and industry leaders that developed innovative solutions that successfully enabled positive changes to NutriAsia Inc. NAI cited that the awarded firms pointed the way to joint business improvement and challenged the status quo. The firms are believed to be visionaries with faith that turns dreams into reality, and with indestructible determination that cuts through barriers and obstacles.
The firm is a beneficiary of technology upgrading by the Department of Science and Technology through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and received numerous consultancy services.
The firm was granted SETUP assistance and was given free training on Food Safety. The firm was also assisted by the agency in its preparation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Manual and SSOP Procedure in compliance with the requirements of the FDA – License to Operate (LTO) Application. The firm was then granted the FDA – LTO Certificate on September 13 this year.
Prior to receiving the award, V&C Agrifarm was provided with technical consultation on product standardization of the pickled vegetables through the application of food safety standards from the start of receiving raw materials to deliveries.
V&C Agrifarm has also reported a 117% increase in its production volume since the technology and process upgrade. (Nova Belle Calotes/DOST 10)