NORTHERN Mindanao agriculture department will now fit together its programs and projects to consolidation and clustering in the region, said in a press statement Monday.
DA-10 asst. regional technical director for operations Carlota S. Madriaga said farm clustering and consolidation is one of the key strategies to level up the region's agriculture sector.
Madriaga said it is important to convince farmers and their respective cooperatives and associations and come together to optimize the interventions and assistance provided by the DA.
“To contribute to our rice sufficiency efforts in the region, the cooperative is chosen for its potential for rice production,” said Madriaga.
She said the department selected the Maramag Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACO MPC) as one of their pilot areas for the program for rice agri sector.
Earlier, Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC), was already included in the program.
"There is no such thing here as "no cluster, no assistance” policy in the farm sector," clarified Madriaga.
MACO MPC was established in 1990, the cooperative is based in North Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon and has grown to 8,369 members since then.
The cooperative is known for working with the agency on its programs and project implementations geared towards reducing production costs of rice farmers, thus, increasing their income, said Madriaga.
Aside from being a Rice Processing Center recipient, the cooperative has also received agri-machineries and facilities such as combine harvesters, farm tractors and mechanical dryers to support around their 100 members who are engaged in rice production.
Such produce is also being sold at the cooperative’s agency store.
Madriaga said the otherwise known as Farm and Fisheries Consolidation and Clustering Program (F2C2) was stressed during her Friday's meeting with the region
Madriaga said the F2C2 (DA Administrative Order 27) was signed by Secretary William Dar, seeks to advance the interest and condition of Filipino small farmers.
"By encouraging them to adopt a strategy on clustering and consolidation of their production, processing and marketing as community business enterprise," said Madriaga.
She expressed to ensure that farm clustering within a specific area will be able to sustain their agriculture enterprise and livelihood.
In addition, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative sold their produce as part of the relief goods distribution initiatives by some local government units.
The F2C2 program seeks to streamline the access to credit, financing, mechanization, logistics and transport, and post-harvest support to farm and fishery clusters.
Under the program, clustered areas must have a minimum production area of 100 hectares for rice, 75 for corn and other grains, 50 for high value vegetables, 100 for fruit trees and perennials and 100 hectares for fiber crops.
“We are hopeful for the success of this project and look forward that it will help increase our farmers’ productivity and income, especially during these trying times,” said MACO MPC chair Calixto DS. Daquiado. (Angie Cabig/AMBManto/DA-10)
