DA-10 targets improved farmers’ income and food security through the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the headship of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan convened with the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) to discuss the implementation of the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA) in Northern Mindanao, on May 21 at the agency compound, in this city.

During the meeting, DA-10 Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas, F2C2 focal person Gay Nanette M. Aleria, some DA officials and staff, and the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC) representatives from Cebu were apprised on the implementation of AECA and its inclusive agriculture value chains on which the foundation’s initiatives are anchored.

According to JGF Consultant Joan Cua Uy, AECA is an eight-step process that aims to teach smallholder farmers so they can acquire business skills for a more sustainable livelihood.

“Through agro-entrepreneurship and leadership training, farmers learn the AECA, which organizes farmers into clusters and guides them in developing a business plan to establish their collective farming enterprise,” she said.

The event also provides an opportunity to validate the current status of AECA implementation in the region, as well as discuss accomplishments and ongoing issues.

As transpired, the Agro-enterprise Performance Plan (AEPP) Roadmap current phase in Region 10’s Organizing and Information Gathering for Business Plan Preparation phase is nearly complete, while the AE Planning for Collective Marketing phase is still in progress.

Meanwhile, Aleria also affirmed the agency’s commitment in advancing the interest and condition of small-scale Filipino farmers and fisherfolk through various agro-enterprise capacity-building activities in line with the F2C2 program and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

AECA was introduced by JGF as part of its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) to help smallholder farmers increase their income through fair supply arrangements with institutional markets like the Jollibee Group.

Furthermore, the team will visit the Lirongan High Value Vegetable Farmers Association (LIHVVFA) in Talakag, Bukidnon, to discuss AECA implementation and prospective market partnerships with LMPC.# (RDME)