Harley Embido: Empowering Youth Through Agribusiness
Harley Kevin Embido is a firm believer in dreaming big while taking small, purposeful steps toward achieving those dreams. A native of Ligao City, Albay, he is a Licensed Professional Teacher with a master’s degree in Cooperative Management and the heart of an aspiring entrepreneur. He actively advocates agribusiness among the youth and farmers, believing that empowered young people can drive meaningful change and help build sustainable communities that benefit everyone.
He has been nominated as a member of the Board of Directors of the YLEAD Council, an organization born from FPSDC’s YLEAD Program. He is also affiliated with the Camote Creation Farmers and Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative (CCFEMC) as Cooperative Secretary. While the cooperative initially focused on sweet potato production, it has since expanded into broader agricultural activities. Through this, it supports farmers in strengthening unity and collaboration within their communities.
Before joining CCFEMC, Harley had limited knowledge about cooperatives and their potential. His perspective changed when he became a research assistant to Dr. Nolan Belaro, which opened his eyes to the significant role cooperatives play in community development. From then on, his passion for agriculture deepened as he recognized its importance and its capacity to uplift farmers. He came to understand that empowering farmers leads to stronger, more progressive communities.
Harley’s YLEAD business centers on agriculture and was originally developed from his master’s degree project titled “Ginisa, Tula, at Prito,” also known as GinTuPri. The project aims to support farmers by providing agricultural inputs that they can use to improve their production. Once the crops are ready for harvest, GinTuPri directly purchases the produce, ensuring that farmers maintain control over their products while the cooperative assists in market access.
Additionally, the project helps address income gaps during non-harvest periods. Harley believes that by supporting farmers in this way, they will no longer need to leave their land in search of alternative livelihoods during off-seasons.
GinTuPri also encourages the youth to see agriculture as a viable and rewarding source of income. Although Harley has shifted some of his focus from teaching to cooperative work, he still considers education essential. Through teaching entrepreneurship, he continues to empower young individuals to explore opportunities in agribusiness and related fields.
His journey in the YLEAD Program has been transformative. Harley recognized that the program could help him advance his advocacy and connect with more farmers. He sought to deepen his understanding of enterprise development and challenge himself further. The experience enhanced his confidence in communication and reshaped his perspective on leadership. Exposure to diverse ideas from peers, mentors, and judges broadened his outlook and strengthened his vision.
By the end of the program, Harley was inspired to lead, innovate, and unlock his full potential. With YLEAD’s influence, the GinTuPri concept became more tangible, even expanding to a new location. A small canteen at the College of Business, Economics, and Management of Bicol University was established to bring the idea to life.
Harley firmly believes that youth involvement is vital to the success of such initiatives. He sees young people as natural risk-takers who bring fresh ideas and maximize the use of digital platforms to promote innovation in cooperatives. However, he also acknowledges the challenges that may limit their interest in agriculture.
He aims to help people better understand the true value of cooperatives. Many perceive them as merely lending institutions, but they offer far more than financial services. Through engaging programs and digital promotion, Harley hopes to highlight inspiring success stories and reshape public perception.
Ultimately, Harley envisions himself as a catalyst for change who inspires others through action and shared knowledge. He dreams of a future shaped by empowered youth who engage, innovate, and uplift communities through agribusiness and cooperative development. As he moves forward on this journey, he hopes to pursue a doctorate in Cooperative Management and continue dedicating himself to learning, leadership, and service for the cooperative sector.
