Sec. Dar leads the turnover of the P6.34-M trading post and other marketing logistics to the farmers in Magsaysay, MisOr to provide farmers a venue to command better prices for their quality and fresh produce by saving transport time and costs. (Photo credits: MPTablon)
MAGSAYSAY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar turned over the P6.34 million trading post and other marketing logistics to the officials and members of the Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MFARCC) and Magsaysay Peddlers Association on December 6 at barangay Kibungsod, this town.
Said facility, which comes with a package of interventions such as a transport truck and equipment, comprising of a digital weighing scale, retail weighing scale, pallet and plastic crates, is pooled from DA through its Enhanced Kadiwa (P5-M) funds and a counterpart (P1.345-M) from the local government unit (LGU) of Magsaysay headed by Mayor Rey B. Buhisan.
Strategically built close to CARAGA region and with an access to the vegetable-producing town of Claveria, MisOr, the trading post will provide farmers in the locality a venue to command better prices for their quality and fresh produce by saving transport time and costs.
At the same time, it aids wholesale buyers from the eastern part of Magsaysay to significantly cut their hauling expenses.
“Malaki po itong tulong sa mga magsasaka sa Magsaysay, lalung-lalo na para sa mga produkto na galing pa sa malayong kabundokan at mahirap ang paghanap ng mga buyer. Magsisilbi itong access point para pwede nilang maibenta ang kanilang produkto sa saktong halaga,” Ediver Joy V. Buyan, MFARCC chairman conveyed.
Further, the Project is seen to enable the community to have greater access to a healthier and sufficient supply of agricultural products at reasonable prices.
Under the ‘OneDA reform agenda’ to level up the country’s agriculture, Secretary Dar likewise reiterated the department’s key strategies for farmers to enjoy higher efficiencies in operations and improved profits.
“Pinapaigting po ng DA itong linkage between production and market para sa ganun, at the end of the day, mas mataas ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka,” the DA chief said, attributing reduced transport and distribution costs from production to consumption areas through the trading post.
“Para mas maganda pa yung serbisyo na maibibigay ng DA at LGU, dapat ang ating mga magsasaka ay maging miyembro po sila sa isang kooperatiba, ‘pag binuklod meron tayong ma-isuporta collectively doon sa mga farmers, cooperatives or associations (FCAs). Through collective action by farmers joining FCAs, ang serbisyo na galing sa gobyerno, national man o lokal, ay doon isi-sentro para mas maraming makinabang at masilbihan,” the agriculture secretary further emphasized.
Beside the cited Project, Sec. Dar also led the ceremonial turnover of cash subsidy to 151 qualified rice farmers at 5K each through DA’s Rice Farmers Financial Assistance in a bid to cushion the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law.
Gracing the turnover were DA Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel O. Reyes, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga of DA-Regional Field Office 10, other department heads and staff of LGU Magsaysay and municipal residents. # (JLO)