Seeds are at the heart of farming and food security. In this episode of the Good and Green Podcast, host Chit Juan talks with Julius Barcelona, Chief Operating Officer of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation and Vice President of the Philippine Seed Industry Association. Julius explains why seeds are the foundation of agriculture, the differences between open-pollinated, hybrid, and transgenic seeds, and why vegetable consumption in the Philippines remains so low. He also shares insights on hydroponics, the challenges and opportunities in the food value chain, and how young people can find both purpose and profit in agriculture.

GUEST BIO:

Julius Barcelona is the Chief Operating Officer of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, a pioneer in agricultural solutions for Filipino farmers since 1997. He also serves as Vice President of the Philippine Seed Industry Association, Asia’s oldest seed association, where he leads key initiatives like the annual Seed Pavilion at Agrilink and contributes to projects such as the Vegetable Industry Roadmap 2021–2025. With agricultural training in Asia, North Africa, and Europe, Julius brings global expertise to advancing seed development, farmer empowerment, and climate resilience in the Philippines.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why seeds are the foundation of farming and food systems.
• The differences between open-pollinated, hybrid, and transgenic seeds.
• Why vegetable consumption in the Philippines is still very low compared to neighboring countries.
• The opportunities and limits of hydroponics and vertical farming.
• How agriculture can be both a business and an advocacy for the next generation.

QUOTES:

• Without the seed, everything else falls apart. — Julius Barcelona
• Everything that we grow today is genetically modified because it's all undergone artificial intervention. — Julius Barcelona
• We want the farmers to have dignity. — Julius Barcelona
• Vegetables make you a lot of money. — Julius Barcelona
• Food cannot be expensive as a basic human right. — Julius Barcelona

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Connect with Julius Barcelona on:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliusbarcelona/
• Harbest Agribusiness Corporation - https://www.harbest.com.ph
• Philippine Seed Industry Association - https://www.philseedindustry.org/

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Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape  at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.