Rujo Agri-Trade

Rujo Agri-Trade operates as a digital marketplace connecting farmers directly with consumers and businesses in the Philippines. The platform aims to streamline the agricultural supply chain by offering a space for farmers to post their produce and for buyers to find fresh, locally-sourced products. This model seeks to provide fairer prices for farmers by reducing the number of intermediaries.

The company was founded in 2019 by Jay-arr R. Zapanta, a Computer Engineering student from Oriental Mindoro, and his friends from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC). The idea was born from Zapanta's personal experience with the challenges faced by local farmers, including his own family. The startup was a recipient of the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) Startup Grant Fund, which provided equity-free funding and support. This grant was part of the ICT Industry Development Bureau's program to foster innovative Filipino startups.

Rujo Agri-Trade's platform serves a variety of clients, from individual households to institutional buyers like hotels and restaurants. The business model focuses on facilitating transactions through its online system, thereby creating a more efficient and transparent market for agricultural goods. Keywords: agricultural marketplace, agritech, farm-to-table, Philippine agriculture, e-commerce, crop sourcing, supply chain, direct trade, local produce, farmer empowerment