Innovations in Sustainabilty Business Models – Toward Development for Peace in Conflict-affected Zones in the Philippines

Abstract

The proposed business model (also termed herein as the Business Sustainability Framework) presents strategies for agribusiness and approaches to restoring the forests and watersheds that were initiated in the Province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It is believed that the framework deserves merit for replication in other conflict-affected zones. This study aimed to conceptualize and document a holistic and collaborative approach taken to develop a model for an inclusive and sustainable business practice that can ensure food security and support livelihoods of the Indigenous People (First Nations) of Bukidnon, many of whom are smallholder farmers, while augmenting environmental resilience. The methodology applied for developing the model in Bukidnon utilized various strategies namely, social preparation, community organizing, participatory community development planning, as well as study tours and cross learning programs for farmers from the Bangsamoro to model sites in Bukidnon. The results of these strategies demonstrated that the key components of the framework, namely securing availability of food (i.e., adequate and nutritious food on the table), livelihood opportunities (i.e., through the production of cash crops for sale to generate sustainable disposable income), and reforestation of degraded forests and watersheds (i.e., maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem and adequacy of water supply) can be pursued effectively through a more participatory collaboration between corporations and communities. This paper emphasizes that the creation of food security and livelihood opportunities, alongside inclusive community development and the promotion of  ethics and values formation, is urgent given the pressing need for the newly-established government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (or BARMM) to deliver the much needed dividends of peace through inclusive and equitable partnerships between companies and communities. Based on the promising outcomes and results in Bukidnon, it is believed that the replication of the framework in the conflict-affected Bangsamoro region can lead to sustainable agribusiness economic models and help bring equity and social justice, and enhance environmental sustainability. The study recommends that the authorities give special consideration to the promotion of the proposed model in the Bangsamoro.