DA-10, MSU-IIT NMPC ink MOAs on agri-digital marketing, rural dev’t, refrigerated van provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To boost digital market access for local farmers and drive inclusive rural growth, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) and the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology National Multipurpose Cooperative (MSU-IIT NMPC) signed three Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) on June 1 at the agency compound, in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental.

The agreements establish a partnership for an agri-digital marketing platform, formalize initiatives for inclusive rural development, and secure the three-year provision of a refrigerated van to support agricultural logistics.

The MOAs were signed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and MSU-IIT NMPC Chairperson Edward L. Banawa, with DA-10 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief Wilson V. Lagdamin. Witnessing the signing were Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Chairperson Nilda B. Salas and technical staff from both parties.

Collectively, the agreements aim to increase farmers’ incomes by upgrading how farm produce is sold and delivered across Northern Mindanao.

The first MOA serves as the blueprint for the partnership, outlining collaborative efforts to boost regional crops such as rice, corn, coconut, adlay, and bamboo, and other priority commodities. Under the terms, the DA-10 will provide technical assistance and funding support, while the coop handles daily groundwork, farmer organization, and training activities.

Emphasizing the importance of tracking local production, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan noted:

“Nakatabang gyud ang report [kabahin sa production data] ani nga mga technical personnel… kay usahay, ang production nagkatibuag. Pero kamo [sa kooperatiba] kay market, moadto nasad mo sa market. Pero kinahanglan ninyo i-ensure nga makaregister tong nag-produce sa kada area… Aron ang marketing assistance, [hinay-hinay nga] maabot [ngadto sa ilaha].”

The second agreement focuses on launching an online shopping website and mobile application tailored for agricultural products. The platform will allow consumers and institutional buyers to purchase directly from farmers while centralizing supply management and strengthening market efficiency.

“Pwede gyud nga og naa moy order [pinaagi sa app], didto gihapon i-bulk… aron dili namo mangita og asa [ang supply],” the agri chief exec pointed out.

To ensure smooth operations, DA-10 AMAD will oversee monitoring to determine buying trends and high-demand items. Meanwhile, the cooperative will handle product listings, secure payments, and customer care while ensuring strict compliance with data privacy laws.

The third MOA covers the three-year provision of a refrigerated delivery van to augment logistics support. The unit is expected to help maintain the freshness and quality of farm products during transit, reducing postharvest losses and expanding market reach.

While the ownership of the vehicle remains with the government, the cooperative will shoulder all operating costs, including fuel, maintenance, and insurance.

The said undertaking also directly aligns with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr.’s ten-point plan under the “Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas for 2024-2028″.

It addresses key areas by nurturing ties with farmers and the private sector, broadening market access, advancing digitalization, and modernizing food systems.

With the agreements formally sealed, a joint monitoring committee will convene quarterly to assess progress and ensure that farming communities directly benefit, ultimately contributing toward a more reliable food supply chain and steady incomes for farmers across Northern Mindanao.# (JPLC)