GENERAL CORPORATE BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
THE FIRM
NEXUS Agribusiness Solutions is a Philippine based consulting firm committed to servicing the agribusiness needs of the Asia Pacific Region. Its areas of expertise include: Agro-enterprise and Agro-industrial Investment Promotion and Development, Market Access Enhancement, Value Chain Assessment and Development, Regional Development Cooperation and Project Management from Proposal Development, Strategic Planning Facilitation, Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment.
The firm’s vision is a thriving agribusiness sector in the Asia Pacific Region, where stakeholders, smallholder farmers, in particular, are empowered, are vibrant participants of sustained economic growth and are equitably partaking its benefits. The firm’s mission, as its name “NEXUS” implies is to be the center or hub of agribusiness solutions, in the Asia Pacific Region.
Young as it may be as an organization, having just been established in March 2012, the Los Banos-based NEXUS has an extensive track record. It has already completed commissioned work for a number of clients including, among others a) development institutions – such as the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Asian Productivity organization (APO), and the SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA); b) International NGOs – such as “Collectif Strategies Alimentaires (CSA), Belgium, the Asian Farmers Association for Rural Development (AFA), the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resource in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA) and c) Philippine line agencies such as – the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), Science and Technology (DOST) and Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The most recent commissioned works’ geographical coverage spans over China, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Niue of the Pacific and Vietnam.
THE OWNER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dr. Nerlita M. Manalili an agribusiness and strategic planning consultant in the region, owns and manages NEXUS Agribusiness Solutions. Prior to consulting stint, she has more than 30 years of agribusiness development work that cuts across organizations (government, academe, regional research institutions and International NGO) and through varying capacities as chief planning officer, program proponent and implementer; research and development manager, market access advisor, capacity developer and Asia Pacific representative to global and regional initiatives.
Dr. Manalili has both the academic preparations and field exposure in agribusiness development. She holds an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business and graduate degrees in Business Administration- MBA and DBA all from the University of the Philippines (Los Baños and Diliman Campuses). She was a Doctoral Fellow of the Peace and Happiness for Prosperity (PHP), the research arm of the Matshushita Group of Companies of Japan.
Her previous full time posts include a) Regional Adviser for Asia on market access for VREDESEILANDEN, a Belgian NGO into sustainable livelihoods for organized family farmers with duty station in Bali Indonesia, b) R&D manager of the Philippine based SEAMEO SEARCA, c) Graduate faculty member of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and d) Chief Planning Officer of a World Bank funded Integrated Area Development Project (IAD).
Among her involvement in global and regional initiatives while concurrently holding full time jobs are as follows:
Spokesperson Southern Advisory Group (SAG) of the European Research Area- Agricultural Research for Development (ERA ARD), a network of 14 European countries on agricultural research for development, under the ERA NET Framework of the European Commission and as concurrent representative of Asia Pacific through the endorsement of Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institute (APAARI), 2007-2010. The SAG is a 10 member group of regional representatives from the South.
Coordinator for Asia and Co Proponent Europe-Asia Master Program and Executive Training for Food Industry in partnership with CIRAD of France and in collaboration with Kasetsart Univesity of Thailand, The Wageningen University of the Netherlands, NRI of the Greenwich University of United Kingdom, 2003 to 2005
Coordinator for Southeast Asia Regoverning Market Project of the International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED, UK) and with financial support from Fund for International Development (DFID). Regoverning market was a multi-regional, 16 countries collaborative research project analyzing a) growing concentration in the processing and retail sectors of national/regional agri-food systems and their impacts and implications for rural livelihoods and communities, b) the role of primary producers/ their economic organizations in negotiating market access and improving terms of trade in specific agricultural supply chains
Proponent and Project Leader Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded project on Curriculum development “Technical Assistance in Agricultural Entrepreneurship for Lao PDR, in partnership with The University of Guelph, Canada and with Study tour in Chiang Mai University in Thailand and other Universities in the Philippines
THE ENGAGEMENTS
- As Consultant
Study leader, “Governance Framework Development for Agribusiness Subsector Towards Rapid, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth for the Philippines”, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) January to June 2017.
International Trade and Market Access Expert, Philippine Agribusiness Commercial, Legal and Institutional Reform (AgCLIR) Diagnostic, Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through INTEGRA LLC, Washington D.C. 2005 U.S.A. September 30, 2016 to December 11, 2016.
Marketing Resource Person, e Learning Course on Innovative Approaches in Marketing of Agrifood Products, Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo Japan, October 25 to December 8, 2016
Study Leader, Technical Assistance to the Study on Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens in the Philippine Food Manufacturing Industry, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), NEDA, Quezon City, August-December 2016
Study Leader, Conduct of Household MidTerm/Endline Community Study on PEF’s Social Enterprise Project (Group 1), Peace and Equity Foundation, Quezon City, November 2015-March 2016
Project Director, Market Oriented Agri-technology and Agricultural Extension, ARCCESS Project- Department of Agrarian Reform – Bulacan, Jan-Oct 2015
Agriculture Expert, UN Joint Programme on Integrated Highland Livelihood Development in Mae Hong in Thailand, Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangkok, Sept 2015
Agribusiness Consultant, Landscape: Inclusive Agribusiness in Southeast Asia Study of SEAMEO SEARCA, Philippines and CSIRO Australia. May –Sept 2015
Technical Expert, Agricultural Marketing and Trade in Myanmar, Food &Agriculture Organization (FAO), Myanmar, Nov- Dec. 2014
Team Leader, Rapid Appraisal of Postharvest Facilities, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), NEDA, Oct 2014-March 2015
Project Director, Market-Oriented Business Development Services of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) BDS Lots C1, C2, D1 & D2. Department of Agrarian Reform Region 3 , July 2014-June 2015
Team Leader, Analytical and Advisory Assistance Program (AAA) on Agribusiness in the Philippines (P143504) Rapid Appraisal of the Yellow Corn Value Chain in Mindanao, World Bank Manila, Nov 2013-June 2014
Technical Writer, Rapid Food Production Enhancement Programme RaFPEP-IRPEP) Midterm Performance Assessment, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Phil Department of Agriculture , Aug 2013
Marketing Expert, Assistance with processing and value adding of agricultural products for Niue Project, Food and Agriculture Organization’s, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Apr 2013
Capacity Building Consultant, Building VNFU’s capacity of using right tools in Supporting the development of collective economic forms In Agriculture, Vietnam Farmers Union (VNFU), Jan-Jun 2013 & Dec 2013-Mar 2014
Writer, Regional Paper on “Enhancing Farmers’ Market Power in Value Chain in Asia”, Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), Jan-Apr. 2013
Market Specialist, Market Study on “The Dried Honeysuckle Flower Industry of China (Domestic and Export Potentials)”, United Nations Food & Agriculture Office (FAO) China, Dec 2012
Study Leader, Agribusiness Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the Philippines, FAO Rome, Sept-Nov 2012
Program Review Specialist cum Study Leader of SEARCA & DA-BAR Project on Strengthening the Department of Agriculture’s National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP). 2012.
Consultant, JICA Project Formulation Mission on “Enhancing the Competitiveness of Fresh and Semi-Processed Agricultural Products through the Application of Appropriate and Sustainable Packaging Technology”. 2012
Team Leader, JICA-DOST Preparatory Study for the Project “Enhancing the Competitiveness of Fresh and Semi-Processed Agricultural Products through the Application of Appropriate and Sustainable Packaging Technology”. 2011
Facilitator of the National Consumer Awareness Council (NCAC) Strategic Direction Setting and Planning, 2011
Study Leader of the FAO Rome “Investing into Appropriate Packaging Technology in Developing Countries – Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa”. 2010
External Evaluator to the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA) “Project Evaluation of the Linking Small Farmers to Market (LSFM)”2010
Proposal Writer of the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB)’s Phase 2 Program and ASEAN Heritage Parks Development Proposal. 2009
Regional Marketing Advisor to the Asian Farmers Association’s Evaluation of In-country Marketing Projects of Members. 2009
Overall Study Leader of the European Research Area- Agricultural Research for Development (ERA-ARD) & the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institute (APAARI) “Regional Evidence Generation and Policy & Institutional Mapping on Food & Bioenergy Conflict: Asia, Africa &Latin America” 2008
2.0 As Resource Person/Presenter in Agribusiness Trainings and Conferences
International Conference on Business and Management, Resource Person, UP Virata School of Business, Microtel by Wyndham, TechnoHub, Diliman, Quezon City, July 13-15, 2016
Third Executive Forum: Leaders in ASEAN Agriculture and Development, Resource Person, SEARCA, College, Los Banos, Philippines, June 6-10, 2016
Strengthening Indonesian Agribusiness: Rural Development and Global Market Linkages, Resource Speaker, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Indonesia, April 25-26, 2016
PIDS-CLSU Policy Research Forum on Impact Evaluation of Irrigation and Postharvest Facilities, Resource Person, Central Luzon State University, Munoz, Nueva Ecija, March 30, 2016
Training Workshop on Strategies on Building Small Farmers Market Bargaining Power, AsiaADHRRA, Yangon, Myanmar, Jan 21-23, 2016
Market Validation and Research Training Workshop, Resource Person, Department of Science and Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST TAPI), B Hotel, Alabang Dec 9-10 & Crimson Hotel, Alabang, Dec. 17-18, 2015
Knowledge Sharing Forum on Rapid Appraisal of the Postharvest Facilities Projects Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department/ Philippine Institute for Development Studies, House of Representatives, Quezon City, Philippines, Nov 25, 2015
Sub-Regional Steering Committee -Southeast Asia (SRSC-SEA) Meeting and Re-tooling on MTCP2 Monitoring &Evaluation, Knowledge Management and Financial Management, Asian Farmers Association (AFA), Phnom Penh, Cambodia, October 26-29, 2015
First International Congress on Post Harvest Loss Prevention, University of Illinois, U.S.A. and Food and Agriculture Organization, Poster Presenter, Rome, Italy, Oct 5-7, 2015
Round Table on Inclusive Agribusiness in Southeast Asia, Grow Asia, Facilitator, Pullman Hotel, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Sept 23-25, 2015
Training on Enhanced Corn Value Chain Analysis in Northern Mindanao, Resource Person. Department of Agriculture. Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, June 9-11, 2015
Department of Agriculture’s National Training on Corn Value Chain Development and Analysis, Resource Person, Los Banos, SEARCA Philippines, March 3, 2015.
Rapid Appraisal of the Yellow Corn Value Chain in Mindanao: A Consultation Workshop, WorldBank, Resource Person/Facilitator, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, April 11, 2014,
Training of Trainers in Building VNFU’s capacity of using right tools in Supporting the development of collective economic forms in Agriculture, Resource Person, Vietnam National Farmers’ Union (VNFU) Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb 18-27, 2014.
Save Food Partnership Event: Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, Presenter, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Rome, Italy, Dec 10-11, 2013
Training of Trainers in Enhancing Women’s Participation in Rural Enterprise Development, Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Tokyo Japan, Lead Resource Person, Solo Indonesia, Sept 22- 29, 2013
Agricultural Productivity in CLMV Countries: Opportunities and Challenges. Discovery Suites, Manila, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), 19 June 2013,
AFA Regional Learning Session on Sustainable and Inclusive Marketing Arrangements towards Increasing Farmers’ Market Power, Presenter, Sulo Riviera Hotel, Quezon City, Philippines on May 9-11, 2013
“Building Vietnam National Farmers’ Union (VNFU) Capacity in Supporting Development of Collective Economic Forms in Agriculture”, Resource Person, (AsiaDHRRA) & VNFU, Mar-June 2013
“Agribusiness Project Development and Management Training”, Resource Person, Development Center for Asia Africa Pacific (DCAAP) Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines. Dec 3-7, 2012
”FAO Outreach Event on Institutional Support for Inclusive Agribusiness & Agroindustries Development in Asia. FAO & SEARCA Dhusit Hotel, Makati, Philippines Nov. 7, 2012
“Asian-Europe Business Forum in Lao PDR”, Session Facilitator, Aide A La Decision Economique (ADE) European Union (EU), Vientiane, Lao PDR, Nov 3-6. 2012
“Regional & National Workshop on Consumer Protection” Resource Person, Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Makati, Philippines, Aug 2012 & Manila, Philippines, Oct 11, 2012
“Food Wastage in Southeast Asia-Expert Working Group Meeting” Presenter, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Aug 23-24, 2012
Global Pack 2012 International Packaging Conference, System EdgePack & Central University of the Philippines, Resource Person, Iloilo City, Philippines, July 26-27, 2012
“Strengthening the Capacity of Producers’ Organizations to Respond to Modernizing Agriculture” Resource Person, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Asian Food and Marketing Association (AFMA), ChiangMai, Thailand, Oct 20-21, 2011
Regional Training on Agricultural Marketing, Resource Person, ASEAN, JICA, and Department of Agriculture, Manila, Philippines, June 9 12, 2011
“Save Food Conference (Interpack Trade Fair)”, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO Rome) & Messe Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany, May 12-18, 2011
“First Sub-Regional Farmers’ Forum Consultation of Southeast Asia”, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) & International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD), Jakarta, Indonesia, April 19-20, 2011
Regional Learning Workshop on Farmers Business School, Australian Center for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) & International Potato Center (CIP), Bandung, Indonesia, Nov 19-20, 2010
Global Conference for Agricultural Research for Development, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) & Global Forum for Agicultural research (GFAR), Montpellier, France, March 27-Apr 2, 2010
In country Training Programs on Agribusiness and Enterprise Development, (Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam), The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) of Japan, 2008-2013
Most Recent Publications
Manalili, N.M., Yaptenco, K.F, and Manilay, A.A., 2015, Rapid Appraisal of the Postharvest Facilities
Projects in the Philippines, Discussion Paper Series No. 2015-31, Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
Manalili, N.M., Yaptenco, K.F, and Manilay, A.A., 2015, How Effective Are Our Postharvest Facilities?,
Policy Notes, 2015 (16), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
Manalili, N. M. Landscape: Inclusive Agribusiness in Southeast Asia Scoping Study. 2015. SEARCA,
Los Banos and CSIRO Australia.
Manalili, Nerlita M. (editor & content writer). 2015. Supporting the Development of Collective Economic
Forms in Agriculture: A Training Manual. Asia Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia
(AsiaDHRRA). Quezon City, Philippines
Manalili, N.M. Meeting the Financial Requirements of Micro, Small and Medium (MSMEs) Food
Processing Sector in the Asia Pacific Region. 2014. FAO RAP, Thailand (working paper)
Manalili, N.M., M.A. Dorado and R. Van Otterdjik. 2014 (2nd edition). Appropriate Food Packaging
Solutions for Developing Countries. FAO, Rome, Italy
Manalili, Nerlita M. 2013. Trends, Patterns and Trajectories in Brokering Small Scale Farmer
Engagement with Private Enterprises in Selected Countries of Southeast Asia Asian Farmers
Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) (to be published)
Manalili, Nerlita M. 2013.Assistance with Processing and Value Adding of Agricultural Products for Niue
(Market Survey Results and Implications), FAO RAP (to be published)
Manalili, Nerlita M. 2012. The Dried Honeysuckle Flower Industry of China (Domestic and Export
Potentials), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), China.
Manalili, Nerlita M. 2012. Agribusiness Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the Philippines, FAO Thailand
Manalili, N. M., M. A. Dorado and S. B. Concepcion. 2012. Enhancing the Competitiveness of Fresh and
Semi-Processed Agricultural Products through the Application of Appropriate and Sustainable Packaging
Technology. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Dy, R. T and N. M. Manalili. 2011, What It Takes for Farmers to Be Sustainable Suppliers to Modern
Value Chains – A private Sector and Agribusiness FAO Rome
Manalili, N.M., M.A. Dorado and R. Van Otterdjik .2011. Appropriate Food Packaging Solutions for
Developing Countries.FAO, Rome, Italy
Manalili, N.M. and M. A. Dorado. 2011. Investing in Appropriate Packaging Technologies in Developing
Countries: Africa, Asia, Latin America and Middle East and North Africa. FAO Rome
Manalili, N.M. and, M. A. Dorado. 2010. Regional Evidence Generation and Policy and Institutional
Mapping on Food and Bioenergy: Integration. South Advisory Group (SAG), the Agricultural Research
Development (ARD) Dimension of the European Research Area (ERA).