Cassava clusters and a consolidator from MisOr and Buk’non, ink a deal with Daesang to deliver fresh cassava tubers to their starch manufacturing plant in Tagoloan town, which is expected to be completed in November, this year. Officials from different partner government agencies also sign the MOA committing to channel their respective interventions to further empower the cassava clusters engaged in the marketing agreement.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of five cassava clusters and a consolidator from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, now have an alternative and assured market for their quality produce through a Korean food processing company, Daesang Philippines, Corp.

On April 12, 2022, said parties have officially sealed a business venture thru the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, with officials from the different partner government agencies – Departments of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (Bureau of Investments), and Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Cooperative Development Authority, involved in providing support to empower cassava farmers for market linkages.

As per the agreement, fresh cassava tubers are to be delivered to the company’s starch manufacturing plant to meet a portion of Daesang’s 500 tons per day requirement, which is set to rise by November, this year at the PHIVIDECH Industrial Estate in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Initially committing an overall 48,650 metric tons to Daesang are Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) Cooperative, and Edwin Labrada, all from Manolo Fortich town, in Bukidnon province.

Completing the roster of linked cassava clusters are from MisOr municipalities – Mindulao Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Magsaysay; Kabangasan Mapua Dahilig Community Cooperative (KMDCC) of Balingoan; and Sampatulog ARB Farmers Cooperative of Alubijid.

Said undertaking is particularly aligned to DA’s pursuit of transformative agriculture using the key strategies on mobilization and empowerment of farmers as well as farm clustering and consolidation.

“The agri department pursues a policy of active participation and partnership with the private sector to establish more agri-based industries in the countryside and develop markets for agri products,” Carlene C. Collado, regional executive director of DA-Northern Mindanao said.

He added that the agency underscores cooperatives development, where the government integrates its interventions to achieve optimum yield and quality of desired crops.

On the other hand, Incherl Han, Daesang president conveyed his gratitude to have finally inked a deal with the various cassava clusters with help from the local and national government agencies, as a series of field visits and consultations went on for some time since they have been promoting their tapioca starch manufacturing business in 2017.

“This MOA [signing] is the first step towards a bright future with local farmers and consolidators. Our tapioca plant will hire local talent and purchase local raw materials. In addition, we look forward to the development of our company. We will create a bright future by combining our company and the community [cassava clusters] to develop together,” the Korean official added.

Meanwhile, KMDCC outgoing chair Erlinda D. Cagmat, whose cassava cluster committed 400 hectares with a potential area in the nearby town of Medina, lauded the feat for all those involved [in the MOA signing], especially that it translates to improving the lives of their coop farmer-members.

“We are thankful for the marketing agreement with Daesang, as this will encourage us, farmers, to engage in the planting of more cassava with an assured buyer for our produce. With the collaborative efforts of different government agencies in making this a reality, we sincerely hope that our business venture with the company will be sustained,” the coop official stated.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said, as  Daesang is set to maximize the operations of its processing plant, more cassava clusters are encouraged to similarly engage in a contract with the company, as DA-10 continues to extend technical support such as capability building, training and seminars, providing planting materials, farm machineries and equipment, and access to credit, and other support that can be pooled from different partner agencies. # (JLO)