DA-F2C2 10 signs MOU with LGU Talakag, XUCA, farmer groups and financial/institutional buyer

 

TALAKAG, BUKIDNON — The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao through its Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (DA-F2C2 10) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC), Local Government Unit (LGU) of Talakag, Xavier University – College of Agriculture (XUCA), and the Lirongan High Value Vegetables Farmers Association (LIHVVFA) on March 24, at the Talakag Municipal Hall, here.

Essentially, DA-10 and the involved parties agreed to form the Site Working Group (SWG) tasked to formulate policies and guidelines, coordinate with partner agencies and institutions, and to facilitate, monitor, and document the implementation of the agro-enterprise development program anchored on the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA).

Said approach aims to organize farmers into clusters, helping them develop business plans to establish collective farming enterprises.

Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, Regional Executive Director of the DA-10, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts aimed at scaling up agricultural productivity in Northern Mindanao. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting farmers by ensuring access to the latter’s preferred seeds, essential inputs, logistics, and facilities to facilitate weekly planting and efficient delivery of produce to target markets.

For its part, XUCA will provide technical support to the LIHVVFA related to agro-enterprise development and the use of appropriate agricultural production technologies through coaching and training sessions.

“Through this partnership, the department is guided on infrastructure, processing, logistics, and other forms of assistance that can be reinforced with the appropriate resource collaboration with Lamac MPC and XU, while also looking at how we can improve our existing commitment to develop farmer groups in Talakag,” the agri chief exec conveyed.

“I encourage farmers to work with us and share their needs because the agency has the resources to support them and ensure that their produce does not go to waste during harvesting,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lamac MPC will coordinate and monitor marketing support activities, deploy an agro-enterprise field facilitator, prepare agro-enterprise progress reports, and provide financial support for organizing and training farmers. In turn, it will update the SWG partners on the progress and status of their plans and activities.

As the recipient of agro-enterprise initiatives, LIHVVFA chairperson Jobert B. Layocan shared: “One of my biggest accomplishments was establishing a farmers’ association, and after five years, we’re still going strong. When the F2C2 team joined, they’ve taught us the importance of collaboration. Even with large volumes, farmers cannot succeed unless we work together. I am grateful for our partners working with us to market our product.”

Also present in the MOU signing were Arch. Richard M. Obaner of Lamac, Talakag Municipal Administrator Alberto S. Bigcas, F2C2 focal person, Gay Nanette M. Aleria, Glenda T. Orlanes, PhD of XUCA, and other DA-10 staff. # (MAC)