Agri-10 meets with Lanao del Norte agribiz enterprise dev’t system implementers to improve delivery of services through such system to agri-related enterprises.

 

LANAO DEL NORTE – In an effort to address challenges faced in enterprise sustainability, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), staged a coordination meeting with the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS) project implementers on September 26, in Kapatagan town, here.

Spearheaded by the division’s Agribusiness and Industry Support Services Section, the activity aims to keep stakeholders informed and updated on the status of FFEDIS implementation, foster collaboration and communication among involved, and identify any bottlenecks that need to be addressed.

In relation to the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321) and Memorandum Circular No. 25 Series of 2020, the creation of FFEDIS is one of the deliverables stipulated in its approved Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

FFEDIS is an operational information system crafted to aid the government in devising strategies and initiatives for enterprise development to enable the producer groups, the private sector, and the local government units to respond effectively to both local and global market demands.

AISS Section chief Jenny D. Alcobilla, led the presentations on updates and guidelines for FFEDIS in Region 10, as well as on concerns related to FFEDIS registration.

Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprises (FFEs), Agri-fishery Enterprises (AFEs), and other Agri-fishery Enterprises (non-FFEs) are encouraged to register for FFEDIS through their respective registration desks or online.

The benefits of being registered into the system include market linkage, access to loan and grant programs, training, technology transfer, and subsidies.

Provincial Operations Center chief Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo emphasized the importance of utilizing FFEDIS, stating that it provides strategic enterprise development information that would enable local farmers to scale up their operations and efficiently market their produce.

Through the meeting, agribusiness coordinators also presented FFEDIS updates from their respective municipalities, discussed the challenges faced as well as the actions taken, and provided recommendations that would help strengthen FFEDIS within their area of responsibility.

In closing, Alcobilla highlighted the importance of creating more organized and continuous communication between the province’s agribusiness coordinators and DA-10. “This will, in turn, facilitate easy sharing of outputs and ensure that each town is well informed about DA-10’s project [and interventions], through AMAD”, she said.

As of September 25, there are 547 approved FFEDIS registrations within Region 10, with 197 from the province.# (EJLG)