New Storage System Seen to Modernize Agriculture

This is one of the biggest earned media pitch I did in my career.

Last year, I went to the ADB Food Security Forum at the Asian Development Bank complex in Pasig City, Philippines where I had the opportunity to talk with food security experts and learn more about the state of food security in a global context.

It was also an opportunity to mingle and do some public/media relations with international media professionals covering the event.

One of those media outlets present was CNN Philippines. The crew was led by reporter/producer Cecille Lardizabal. They were just setting up their equipment and was about to start their coverage when I approached her and sold the idea of doing their story in the context of innovations and a locally-based company (GrainPro) that develops solutions to post-harvest losses that commercializes their innovations worldwide. I also told her that this will help her and the team a quickly end to the day with a stronger angle to an important story that doesn't get much focus by the mainstream media.

After carefully explaining to her what we do and how we are playing a leadership role in helping solve the food crises, she went ahead and did the featured story. GrainPro's Technical Support Manager Joel Dator, was interviewed first. Then I invited IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) Senior Scientist Martin Gummert, who addded his thoughts on the food loss problem.

This is the result of that work. Proud moment indeed on my end.

Video courtesy of CNN Philippines.