For Mindanao veggie group, consolidation is key
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“Using the cluster approach ensures the high quality of the produce, which is very crucial for institutional markets,” he said.
Gualberto added that by consolidating their produce, farmers in Southern Mindanao can take advantage of “economies of scale,” and consequently, negotiate higher prices for their produce.
“Our major concern really is how to improve the access of our small farmers to major markets,” he said. He believes however, that the region’s vegetable producers must undergo a “paradigm shift,” as they still need to fully appreciate the value of organizing themselves and adopting the cluster approach.
During the conference, Romulo Palcon, Regional Technical Director of the Department of Agriculture XI’s Regional Field Unit, urged farmers in the region to adapt Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) in vegetable farming.
GAP is a set of best farming practices that encompass all stages of the food production chain and conform to internationally-accepted standards for the production and export of fresh agricultural products.
GAP for vegetables focuses on the judicious use of agro-chemicals among growers, on workers’ health and safety practices, and on appropriate harvest and post-harvest handling techniques.
Palcon said that being GAP-certified will enable farmers in Mindanao to significantly improve product quality and meet the ever-increasing demands of high-end institutional markets.
“Through GAP, we aim to transform our smallholder growers into successful entrepreneurs,” he said. Palcon stated that the DA is implementing several programs to help Mindanao farmers access key markets in the Luzon and Visayas.
For instance, the DA is opening more “food lanes” and “bagsakan centers” in Metro Manila in the agency’s bid to minimize layers in the marketing chain and increase the profits of Mindanao’s vegetable producers.
Palcon likewise encouraged farmers to set their sights on lucrative foreign markets such as Australia, which is now experiencing a shortage of vegetables due to a drought.
He added that China is also a promising market, which boasts of a per capita vegetable consumption of 250 kilograms, the highest in the world. (GEM)
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