When we think of bustling cities, what often comes to mind is a hive of creative entrepreneurs and high-tech startups. However, even our countryside also holds immense potential for business innovation, economic growth and development. Countryside entrepreneurship not only benefits local communities but also contributes to the overall development of the area.
Ten years ago, Alvin Hing with its co-founder, started Excelsior Farms, Inc, a property with more than 20-hectare farm land located in Barangay Sacsac, Pinamungajan, Cebu. It features state-of-the-art farming equipment from top agricultural countries like the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
Excelsior Farms, Inc. (EFI), a leading swine farm and the biggest nucleus farm in the Philippines, is our Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes an entrepreneur, doing business beyond tri-cities who has demonstrated outstanding and noteworthy accomplishments in his field of business, providing employment opportunities and spurring economic growth in the area he is located.
Founded in 2014, EFI began with a vision to secure and sustain pork production nationwide. Driven by this dream, the company has grown into a successful enterprise, supplying breeders and fresh, high-quality pork nationwide.
EFI’s success can be attributed to its innovative approach to farming. The company employs modern farming methods, state-of-the-art equipment, and climate control systems to ensure the health as well as well-being of its livestock. EFI also invests heavily in research and development, working closely with top agricultural countries to gain knowledge and implement best practices.
As a result of its commitment to innovation, EFI has become the top modern farm in the Philippines and the biggest nucleus breeder farm of the Pig Improvement Company (PIC) Philippines, Inc. The company’s pork is supplied to supermarkets and wet markets not only within Cebu but to various parts of the country as well.
In addition to its focus on innovation, EFI places great importance on valuing its employees. The company believes that its people are the key to its success, and strives to treat them fairly and with respect. EFI provides its employees with opportunities for growth and development, helping them become better individuals as well as professionals.
With a growing workforce of 300 people and counting, the company sets its mission of producing superior quality food to the country and help repopulating the swine industry through spirituality, working together, integrity, nurturing people and excellence (SWINE).
EFI’s commitment to sustainability is another key factor in its success. The company has invested in and is powered by a 1-megawatt solar power system to reduce its carbon footprint as well as offset energy costs at its farm facilities and corporate office. This investment aligns with EFI’s goal of caring for the environment while providing high-quality food to the country. As part of building a legacy, Excelsior has also launched the SWINEnovation Learning Center last October 2018. This has been a venue to showcase best practices implemented by the company and encourage students and young entrepreneurs to join the humble and rewarding job of a modern farmer.
Prior to his venture in the agri-business industry, Alvin had an illustrious career as an executive in different industries and companies. Being an entrepreneur, he understands challenges as part of the learning process and embraces them as growth opportunities. In fact, he credits his growth as an entrepreneur through his experiences and learnings from his previous bosses and mentors—with whom he maintains great relationships up to this day.
Excelsior Farms, Inc. as the Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes and awards the company’s innovative approach to farming, commitment to its employees, and focus on sustainability! These make it an exceptional example of how businesses can contribute to growth and development of agri-business in the countryside.
