F2C2 summit heralds strengthened agri-fishery clusters in NorMin

 

Cagayan de Oro City – Solidifying its commitment in strengthening Northern Mindanao’s agriculture and fishery production systems, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through its Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program staged the 3rd F2C2 Regional Summit on November 11 to 12, at the Ayala Centrio Mall, this city.

In collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 10 (BFAR-10) and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10), the F2C2 summit convened agri-fishery cluster leaders across the region, to advocate enterprise farming approach by understanding local and global market trends, emerging challenges, and innovative opportunities for scaled-up agri-fishery production.

It gathered representatives from local government units, partner national government agencies from the DTI, CDA, DSWD; private institutions – LAMAC Multipurpose Cooperative, AgriCOOPh, Chareon PokPhand Foods Philippines, Corp., Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro; and 63 agri-fishery clusters to champion clustering and consolidation agri-fishery development strategy in the region.

In his message, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan emphasized that the F2C2 program not only unifies farmers and fisherfolk for improved productivity, but also opens wider markets for their products.

“The Department is also working to expand market reach through online platforms to ensure that our agri-fishery products become more accessible to consumers nationwide. By connecting our clusters digitally, we can empower our farmers to compete in larger markets and increase their income sustainably,” Dir. Pacamalan said.

He also underscored that the clustering and consolidation strategy is vital in achieving inclusive growth and ensuring that the benefits of agricultural development reach even the smallest producers.

Highlighting the F2C2 Summit is an agri-fishery trade fair where farmers and fishers were given the opportunity to bring their products closer to the market, increasing awareness for their brand and exposure to potential clients and partners.

In the two-day summit the farmers and fishers were able to generate a combined sale of over PhP142k.

Lilibeth P. Galendez, chairperson of the Narukdukan Kisanday Banana Cassava Corn Farmers Association (NAKBACCOFA) in Maramag, Bukidnon expressed her gratitude to the government through the DA, for initiating such an initiative, linking farmers to prospective buyers and consumers.

“Dako kaayo akong kalipay kay na-address gyud namo, pinaagi niining summit, ang among concern kabahin sa corn ug cassava. Ang problema nasulbad na pinaagi sa DA nga diin maoy naggiya sa mga mag-uuma. Sayud kita, walay kitay makaon kung walay mag-uuma, ug wala pud tay suporta kung wala sila [gobyerno],” she added.

The summit forms part of the DA’s continuous effort to implement Administrative Order No. 27, Series of 2020, which institutionalizes clustering and consolidation as a strategy to help small farmers and fishers benefit from economies of scale, improve market linkages, and enhanced use of agri-aqua technologies.

Through the F2C2, the department aims to modernize and industrialize agriculture while ensuring food security, farmers’ profitability, and sustainable rural development.

The regional summit likewise supports the directives of the current administration to promote agricultural modernization and enhance value-chain integration in the country’s agri-fishery sector. # (ATT/EJLG)