Cultivating Progress: PBBM and DA Lead Turnover of Agri Support to MisOr Farmers in Balingasag Town

COURTESY: JLO/Photo credits: DA-10 Info Team

Agriculture remains the backbone of many regions in the Philippines, and efforts to improve the sector's productivity and sustainability are vital for economic growth and poverty reduction. Recently, a landmark event in Misamis Oriental highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the agricultural sector. On April 22, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (PBBM), together with Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations, Engr. Roger V. Navarro, led the launching and turnover of substantial agricultural support to farmers in Misamis Oriental. This initiative, centered in Barangay San Isidro, Balingasag town, exemplifies the synergy between government agencies, local cooperatives, and private partners. This blog post delves into the different facets of this significant agricultural turnover, its broader implications for Misamis Oriental and neighboring provinces, and the promising future it heralds for Filipino farmers.

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A Historic Event Bolstering Agriculture in Misamis Oriental

The event in Balingasag town is more than just a ceremonial turnover; it marks a pivotal moment in agriculture development within Misamis Oriental and the Northern Mindanao region. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (PBBM), with the Department of Agriculture (DA), particularly the regional office DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin), has reinforced the government’s commitment to accelerating rural development by investing in the core of the agricultural value chain — the farmers themselves.

Supporting this effort, Agriculture Undersecretary Engr. Roger V. Navarro brought his expertise in operations, agri-fisheries mechanization, and rural credit, amplifying the range of interventions provided. Twenty-eight Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), along with eight local government units spanning from Cagayan de Oro City to Misamis Oriental, were beneficiaries of this robust assistance. Such broad-based support underscores DA’s approach to improving not just individual productivity, but the collective agricultural ecosystem within the region.

Moreover, the involvement of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) illustrates a comprehensive strategy encompassing not only production but also postharvest processing and value addition. Together with public-private partnerships aiming to transform the coconut industry, this initiative aims to stimulate economic activities and create a ripple effect of growth in the community.

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Infrastructure and Mechanization - The Cornerstones of Agricultural Modernization

Infrastructure development remains a critical component in any agricultural development plan. One of the highlighted projects at the turnover event was the construction of the Mapulog-Tuboran Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Naawan town, Misamis Oriental, amounting to PhP90.8 million. This FMR will enhance farmers' access to markets, drastically reduce transportation costs, and limit postharvest losses that often plague remote agricultural communities.

Additionally, DA-NorMin distributed nearly PhP32.2 million worth of modern agricultural machinery, equipment, and facilities to the beneficiary groups. These interventions are designed to mechanize various agricultural processes, from land preparation and planting to harvesting and postharvest management. By integrating technology and mechanization, farmers can improve outputs, reduce physical labor, and gain more competitive footing in the market.

Farm mechanization, as spearheaded by Engr. Navarro and DA-PhilMech, also includes pilot projects demonstrating the use of mechanized tools and equipment tailored to the local context. Such efforts encourage adoption by smallholder farmers and cooperatives, allowing them to transition from traditional, labor-intensive methods to modern, efficient practices.

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Bolstering the Rice Sector Through Advanced Technologies

Rice cultivation serves as a staple for Filipino communities, and its development has always been a priority for the government’s agricultural agenda. During the turnover event, DA-PhilMech awarded rice farming technologies valued at PhP78.1 million under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The fund is an integral part of the government’s initiative to improve rice productivity, quality, and postharvest processes, thereby ensuring food security and increasing farmers’ income.

Significantly, the First Community Cooperative (FICCO), a multipurpose cooperative with more than 100 branches, will implement the Rice Processing System II project. This project includes a multi-stage rice mill and four units of recirculating dryers designed to decrease postharvest losses and improve rice quality. Through this system, FICCO anticipates not only enhancing farmers’ productivity but also optimizing efficiency throughout the rice value chain.

Investing in rice processing systems directly benefits farmers by ensuring better milling recovery and higher grain quality, which translates to better prices in the market. Furthermore, these technologies empower farmers and cooperative members to gain more control over postharvest management, reduce dependence on middlemen, and secure a sustainable livelihood.

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Transforming the Coconut Industry — From Farm Commodity to Economic Driver

Another significant highlight during the agricultural turnover was the launch of a PhP350 million Integrated Coconut Processing Facility, seated at FICCO’s property. This facility represents a bold move to transform coconut farming into a thriving, high-value industry by enabling the production of diverse, value-added coconut products.

The facility aims to uplift the farm gate price of coconut from the traditional PhP8-9 per nut to as high as PhP16-18 per nut, effectively doubling farmers' income potential. This initiative is aligned with the SUnRISE (Solving Unemployment through Rural Industrialization, Sustainable and Enterprise) project, which promotes innovative uses of coconut beyond the usual copra. Products such as cocopallets, cocoboards, activated carbon, virgin coconut oil, coco flour, skim milk, and coco water are now within reach for processing and marketing.

President Marcos emphasized the importance of such initiatives in reducing poverty and solving unemployment, especially in rural areas. By integrating sustainable industrialization with traditional agriculture, the government aims to reduce the poverty incidence to single digits by 2028. Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan underscored the project’s potential to serve as a model for other coconut-producing provinces, thereby boosting the overall regional economy.

This integrated approach unites farmers, cooperatives, local government units, government agencies, and private enterprises. It embodies the collaborative spirit necessary to create capacitated rural communities that thrive on innovation, sustainability, and economic development.

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A New Dawn for Misamis Oriental’s Agricultural Sector

The recent turnover of agricultural support to farmers in Balingasag town, spearheaded by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and DA Undersecretary Engr. Roger V. Navarro, represents a milestone in efforts to modernize and empower the agricultural sector in Misamis Oriental and beyond. Through a comprehensive suite of infrastructure projects, mechanization programs, advanced technologies in rice farming, and value-added processing facilities for coconut, the region is poised to achieve a new level of agricultural productivity and economic resilience.

Furthermore, the collaborative involvement of government agencies like DA-NorMin and DA-PhilMech, cooperatives like FICCO, and strategic public-private partnerships demonstrates a holistic approach to rural development. As these interventions take root and expand, Filipino farmers in Northern Mindanao stand to gain not only improved harvests but also sustainable livelihoods and enhanced communities.

Ultimately, this initiative is a testament to the government’s commitment to agricultural progress, rural empowerment, and poverty alleviation. With continued support and innovation, such programs will ensure that Misamis Oriental remains a beacon of agricultural development and a critical contributor to the country’s food security and inclusive growth.

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