DA evaluates MARBFC as a finalist for the Corn Cluster Management Excellence Awards

 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – In a bid to choose the top three outstanding corn cluster organizations from all the regional entries across the country, the national team of evaluators of the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted a field validation of the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) for the Corn Cluster Management Excellence Award (CoCMEA) on October 11.

For more than three decades since they were registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), MARBFC serves as Northern Mindanao’s entry for said competition as they have engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of safe and quality corn through a bolstered partnership with the national and local governments, including DA-10 headed by Director Carlene C. Collado, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other entities.

Chaired by Gemma B. Basubas, it is close to being a 300-membered coop where majority (216) of its members have an aggregate area of 228.75 hectares and are planting corn, with an additional 140 hectares from its corn sub-clusters.

Guided by the vision of becoming a strong and viable coop, MARBFC has over the years provided services to members and non-members alike in terms of agricultural loan programs and custom services of pre-and post-harvest machineries and equipment.

Said services helped farmers to sustain their farming activities and importantly, ensure economic resilience by commanding fair prices for their corn produce, especially with their forged marketing agreements with established feedmillers.

Originally known as the Mantibugao Small Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, MARBFC now stands with assets amounting to about P18 million, whose members continue to work towards primarily uplifting their lives from poverty through expanding opportunities, creating jobs, and warranting sustainability in their respective endeavors.

The CoCMEA recognizes the active involvement of corn cluster organizations in support of the development of the corn industry.

If the coop is selected among the awardees, they will be granted P2 million (M), P1.2-M and 650K for being the Cluster Management Excellence champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up, respectively, in the form of a project grant.

Heading the delegation of DA national evaluators is Virgina V. Villa, senior agriculturist together with Project Assistant III Harvey D. Ramos and Agriculturist II Hershey Turda and supported by Dr. Candido B. Damo, TWG of said awards and DA consultant, and assisted by DA-10 team.# (JLO/Photos supplied)