CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen buyer-farmer connections in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), through its Marketing Development Division, successfully held the Market Linkage Caravan on June 3 to 6, in this city.
The initiative aimed to create a dynamic platform for sustainable business matching between institutional buyers and Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs). Aligned with the OneDA Reform Agenda and its value chain development strategy, the activity is part of DA-AMAS’s ongoing efforts to empower agri-enterprises and ensure that producers are directly linked to stable and profitable markets.
The Market Linkage Caravan is a proactive response to bridge the gap between production and market access. It not only supports smallholder farmers in reaching broader markets but also encourages long-term supply agreement and fosters a resilient food system.
Among the participating institutional buyers are the Bio Green Processing and Manufacturing Inc. (Bukidnon) Robinsons Supermarket Corporation (Cagayan de Oro) First Community Cooperative (FICCO) K Urgenia Fruits and Vegetables (Cagayan de Oro) Golden Reliance Foods Solution Food Processors’ Association of Northern Mindanao (FOPANORMIN) Blue Macay Food Manufacturing Corp., Centennial Food Corporation Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) Farm to Mayani Inc. (MAYANI) and Oriental Garden Restaurant .
Over 20 FCAs joined the caravan and showcased a variety of agricultural commodities, including highland vegetables, corn, cassava, calamansi, coffee, and other fruits. Among the exhibitors are:
Balugto Hope Agroforestry Association Incorporated
Kibenton High Value Crop Farmers Association
Pagsabwahan Ipalambo sa Association
Mindagat Farmers Small Water Irrigation System Association
Mindulao Agrarian Reform Farmers Cooperative
Liboran Samahang Nayon MPC
Linandang Malagana Farmers Association
Lirongan High Value Vegetables Farmers Association
Miarayon Talakag Higland Farmers Association
Imbatug SN MPC
Bayabason Small Coconut Farmers Organization
Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma nga Agraryo sa Kalawitan Agrarian reform Cooperative (KMAK-ARC)
Poblacion Lantapan Multipurpose Cooperative
Lagonglong Integrated Farmers Turmeric Producers producers and Women Association (LIPATFWA)
Sikap San Roque Farmers Association
Paglingkawas Women Federation (PAWFED)
Catumbalon Farmers Association
Kiapo Umalag Farmers Irrigators Association (KUFIA)
Buhat Pahida Pigsabwahan Bahi ta Besigan Association (BUPAPIBA)
Canitoan Farmers Cooperative
MISAD CARP Beneficiary Coop
Lingating 5Cs Agri. Coop
Oro Integrated Cooperative
The market linkage caravan marks a significant stride in advancing the DA’s goal to connect farmers directly to the markets while building an inclusive and resilient agricultural value chain. The initiative not only empowers local farmers but also reinforces the region’s identity as a producer of quality agricultural products.
Moving forward, the DA-AMAS remains committed to expanding market opportunities, promoting agribusiness development, and strengthening the link between production and demand to enhance market access for local farmers. # (NQA)
