DA-NorMin turns over climate-resilient storage facility to farmers’ coop in Manolo Fortich town

 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — In its effort to strengthen post-harvest support for local farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, turned over a newly constructed storage building to the Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative (BLMPC) on Thursday, July 24, in Barangay Lingion, this town.

Costing PhP1.69 million, the project was implemented under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA). It is designed to enhance farmers’ storage capacity and safeguard their produce from spoilage and market disruptions caused by extreme weather events.

In his message, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan emphasized that the department continues to work with local governments and organized groups to empower farming communities across Northern Mindanao.

“Kami sa DA, sa ngalan sa atong Presidente Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, kanunay mi nga maningkamot nga matagaan og serbisyo ang mag-uuma, pinaagi usab sa tabang sa atong local government, cooperatives, ug associations nga kanunay nakiglambigit sa atong programa,” he said.

He further introduced the agency’s digital marketing platform as a new avenue for farmers to access broader markets.

“Karon naa tay ginatawag nga digital marketing platform. Kinahanglan i-register ang produkto sa mag-uuma ug naa mi gi-organize nga distribution center sa Cagayan de Oro ug urban centers. Aron kung mahibal-an lang namo daan ug ma-validate kung asa gikan ang produkto, makatabang kami gamay sa pagsugod og merkado niadtong mga harvest,” the director added.

Following this, BLMPC Chairperson Dante M. Dosayco expressed his gratitude on behalf of the cooperative:

“This mini warehouse represents a significant leap forward for BLMPC. It provides our farmers with secure, accessible, and climate-controlled space to store our produce, protecting it from spoilage and market fluctuations. This is not just about storage – it’s about empowering our farmers, strengthening our local economy, and building a more food secure future for Manolo Fortich.”

The recipient cooperative has been operational for 30 years, with 464 members, most of whom are corn and cassava growers, cultivating around 400 hectares of farmland.

The initiative is among the many projects under DA’s broader agenda to promote resilient and inclusive agricultural development at the community level.# (EJLG)