Harvesting Stability: How a New Postharvest Hub Reinforces Bukidnon’s Agricultural Resilience

COURTESY: JSA/PIA-10/Bukidnon

Strategic Investment and Local Impact

The timely turnover of a P1.68-million postharvest storage hub to the Gango-Kinawe farmers’ cooperative in Libona marks a strategic investment in rural agricultural infrastructure. Moreover, this facility, funded under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA), directly addresses the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate risks and market volatility. Consequently, farmers now possess a safeguarded space to store maize and cassava, which will reduce spoilage and enable more calculated market participation.

Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao emphasized practical benefits. For example, by enabling bulk sales at optimal times, the cooperative can secure improved market prices. Therefore, this intervention not only mitigates postharvest losses but also enhances income stability for households dependent on agriculture.

Governance, Coordination, and Community Benefits

Effective coordination remains essential, and Pacamalan urged crop registration and collaboration with Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAOs) to balance supply and demand. Additionally, past episodes of discarded produce due to poor market prices illustrate the cost of insufficient planning; thus, registration during planting will help prevent oversupply and expand market access. Consequently, the storage hub represents both relief and a catalyst for better agricultural governance.

Furthermore, community leaders articulated profound gratitude and commitment to collective advancement. Chairperson Angelito Atillo of the Gango-Kinawe Community-based Participatory Action Research Producers Cooperative (GKCPAR) highlighted how the new facility will reduce spoilage, raise incomes, and sustain livelihoods. On the same day, DA-10 also turned over another warehouse to the Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative in Manolo Fortich, thereby extending similar support across Bukidnon and reinforcing the province’s role as Northern Mindanao’s food basket.

Cultivating Growth: DA-10's Commitment to Agricultural Prosperity in Misamis Oriental

COURTESY: DA-10

In a significant effort to bolster rural agriculture and enhance food security, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has recently distributed agricultural interventions worth PhP9,691,500 to local government units (LGUs) and registered corn farmers’ associations in Salay and Sugbongcogon towns of Misamis Oriental. This initiative, executed on May 23, embodies the DA-10’s steadfast commitment to invigorating rural economies and supporting local farmers in their quest for sustainable livelihoods.

The distribution encompasses a diverse array of agricultural inputs, including hybrid yellow corn seeds, fertilizers, vegetable seeds, bamboo seedlings, and essential farm tools. Specifically, each municipality received 550 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds and an equal quantity of complete fertilizers, underpinning the DA-10's Corn Program. Additionally, the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) played a pivotal role by providing a significant amount of vegetable seeds to enhance farmers' income diversification. Notably, local farmer Amelita P. Trabajo expressed her deep gratitude for the assistance, highlighting that the resources not only support their livelihood but also ensure food supply for their families.

Strengthening Agricultural Infrastructure

Moreover, the DA-10's commitment extends beyond crop interventions. To further strengthen the agricultural infrastructure in Sugbongcogon, the agency allocated a Php990k poultry house funded under the Livestock Program. This facility aims to enhance local livestock production and provide farmers with additional income opportunities. In addition, plans are underway to establish swine and goat multiplier farms, with investments of PhP5.6 million and PhP2.4 million, respectively. These initiatives reflect the DA-10's holistic approach to agricultural development, promoting not only crop production but also livestock management.

The involvement of key stakeholders, including Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas, underscores the collaborative effort necessary for the success of these initiatives. By fostering close coordination with LGUs and ensuring the effective delivery of various farm assistance programs, the DA-10 reaffirms its dedication to agricultural prosperity in Misamis Oriental. This concerted effort not only aims to uplift local farmers but also seeks to achieve long-term food security for the entire region.