This is how innovative entrepreneurs throughout Asia are working to end global hunger

Already, ZFA is helping farmers revolutionise crop production. At Cham Shan Farm, for example, an irrigation system now delivers nutrient-rich amendments to gourds, melons, and leafy greens, leading to healthier soil and stronger, pest-resistant plants. Meanwhile, at Sangwoodgoon, ZFA has supported farmers in adopting mulching and composting techniques, which protect soil during heavy rainfall. These regenerative practices, promoted by Chan and ZFA, are producing more resilient, nutrient-dense crops while restoring the health of the land.

Read Peggy Chan’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

“There is a massive problem with hunger but at the same time nutrition... With food prices skyrocketing on top of climate change and the instability of global trading, we need to make sure that we support our local farmers to increase their production in a sustainable way without jeopardising our natural resources,” said Cherrie Atilano to Tatler in a 2023 interview. Growing up on a sugarcane farm, the social entrepreneur knew the challenges that farmers and their families face every day. And so in 2015 she founded Agrea to address food insecurity and poverty by promoting self-sufficiency.

Focused on Marinduque, the organisation not only teaches farming techniques that lead to better yields and lower costs, but also connects farmers to markets, with Agrea directly purchasing crops to give farmers a fairer share of the business. For her work, Atilano has been recognised around the world, being named a United Nations High-Level Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition, as well as a Young Global Leader fellow. She said, “I’m focusing my efforts on regenerating the planet through agriculture, connecting the farmers to ethical markets and championing local leadership for the communities of food producers we are working with.”

Read Cherrie Atilano’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Through Cultiveat, John-Hans Oei is transforming food production to benefit both people and the planet. Cultiveat’s innovative urban farming methods reduce land degradation, waste and carbon emissions by using stacked trays to grow crops, allowing for 10 times more yield in a smaller space. Its system optimises growing conditions (plants receive the precise amount of water; rainwater is channelled through walls to regulate temperature) to minimise environmental impact while helping meet the rising demand for food in cities.

The urban farming process results in Japanese cherry tomatoes or multicolour spinach that are also free of pesticides, chemicals and additives. Apart from fresh produce, Cultiveat offers ready-to-eat salad bowls, including a summer medley of lettuce, cashews, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. The CEO has also expanded the idea of Cultiveat, starting with a small farm-to-table restaurant “at the foyer of my office” in 2021, which then evolved into a multipurpose farm at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in 2024.

Read John-Hans Oei’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

After being awarded a master’s scholarship to Cambridge and working at Rutgers’ Food Innovation Center, Stephen Co’s passion for bioscience and entrepreneurship grew. In 2020, he and his co-founders established Worth The Health, or WTH Foods, a plant-based alternative protein startup aiming to help feed 10 billion people by 2050.

Co’s company has created plant-based alternatives to traditional, well-loved classic Filipino dishes like sisig and longganisa. It also runs Umani Bistro, a restaurant that offers meals and snacks in Kamagong, Makati. In addition to selling food, it helps businesses research and develop their recipes or products and offers them the kitchen or equipment they need.

Read Stephen Co’s full profile on Gen.T

In 2015, Verleen Goh started Alchemy Foodtech with her husband Alan Phua to develop healthier ingredients that can reduce the impact of sugar in foods. She led an all-female science team to develop Alchemy Fibre, designed to lower the glycemic index of staple foods like rice, bread and noodles, making them suitable for individuals with diabetes and other chronic conditions. It also provides prebiotic fibres that promote gut health.

The Singapore startup partners with food companies to implement its innovative products. For example, the fast food chain Subway launched the new Chocolate Chip Cookie Siew Dai using Alchemy SweetFibre, its replacement for sugar, reducing the biscuit’s sugar content by nearly half. It also introduces products for individual consumers, such as a rice fibre blend and baking mixes.

Read Verleen Goh’s full profile on Gen.T

When Chanisara Wongdeeprasith was in university, she became interested in making grain-related products such as cookies, bars and crackers. Later, when she and her husband were looking for an opportunity to start their business, they noticed how people in Thailand tend to skip breakfast or opt for unhealthy dishes. So, they co-founded Brunchtime, which sells the country’s first clean granola products with no preservatives or unnecessary additives to fill the market gap. 

Brunchtime’s Diamond Grains granola products are now widely available in leading local supermarkets and convenience stores and have been exported internationally since 2018.

Read Chanisara Wongdeeprasith’s full profile on Gen.T

Influenced by his experiences living on his grandmother’s farm surrounded by animals, Jack Yap, the founder and CEO of Malaysian food tech company Phuture, stopped eating meat at a young age. As he learned more about the high demand for food and its tremendous pressure on the environment, he pivoted from running eight restaurants to creating plant-based food with his company.

With technology and R&D experts, Phuture produces plant-based chicken, mince and burgers—among the world’s first halal-certified—which are more nutritious than equivalent meat products. It also collaborates with chain restaurants and hotel groups to maximise its impact.

Read Jack Yap’s full profile on Gen.T

Off Foods, an alt-protein startup co-founded by Jhameson Ko in 2021, is committed to promoting animal-free alternative protein and sustainable food in Indonesia.

The company’s primary product, Off Meat, a chicken substitute, is available in hotels and restaurants nationwide, including Gaaram, Wanfan, Mamma Ros and Mangkokku. It also offers Oat Daily, an oat drink.

Off Foods is backed by the likes of Alpha JWC Ventures and Global Founders Capital.

Read Jhameson Ko’s full profile on Gen.T

Connie Lee’s Elevatefoods is one of the first in the world to use AI to make 3-D-printed food. The next-generation food-printing device it has built can deliver ready-to-eat baked food within a few minutes from scratch. Items include cookies or fortified bread with vitamins and supplements. It can precisely calculate different compounds needed for a person’s fibre, fat or sugar levels.

Lee emphasises that their goal is not to replicate existing products but to focus on innovating healthier and improved dietary options. The team hopes to find more partners to provide healthy snacks in care homes for the elderly and customised edibles for corporates, F&B and retail.

Read Connie Lee’s full profile on Gen.T

JT Solis founded Mayani, an agritech startup that aims to connect smallholder farmers and fisherfolk with buyers for their produce and catch. The company aims to create a sustainable commercial pathway by increasing rural incomes and improving access to affordable fresh produce for households and businesses. 

So far, it has signed up more than 130,000 farmers and 20,000 individual customers and services over 500 stores. It partnered with delivery app Pick.A.Roo to bring more organic produce.

Read JT Solis’s full profile on Gen.T

Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond.View the full list here.

Tatler Gen.T discovers, supports and amplifies the impact of Asia’s promising young leaders. It’s a community for people who want to change the world. 

NOW READ

5 books that promote hope amid adversity for World Mental Health Day

In conversation with Atul Satija, the founder who is shaking up more than 100 social enterprises to create a poverty-free world

How Asia’s edtech entrepreneurs are making a difference in learning and teaching