MAGSAYSAY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar turned over the P6.34 million trading post and other marketing logistics to the officials and members of the Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MFARCC) and Magsaysay Peddlers Association at Barangay Kibungsod, here, December 6.

"Malaki po itong tulong sa mga magsasaka sa Magsaysay, lalung-lalo na para sa mga produkto na galing pa sa malayong kabundokan at mahirap ang paghanap ng mga buyer. Magsisilbi itong access point para pwede nilang maibenta ang kanilang produkto sa saktong halaga,"  MFARCC Chairman Ediver Joy V. Buyan shared.

(This is a big help to farmers in Magsaysay, especially for products that come from the hinterlands and it is difficult to find buyers, this will serve as an access point so they can sell their product at the right price)

The facility, which comes with a package of interventions such as a transport truck and equipment, comprising of a digital weighing scale, retail weighing scale, pallet, and plastic crates, is pooled from DA through its Enhanced Kadiwa P5 million fund allocation and a counterpart of P1.345 million from the local government unit (LGU) of Magsaysay.

Strategically built close to CARAGA region and with access to the vegetable-producing town of Claveria, the trading post will provide farmers in the locality a venue to command better prices for their quality and fresh produce by saving transport time and costs while simultaneously aiding wholesale buyers from the eastern part of Magsaysay to significantly cut their hauling expenses. 

Further, the project is seen to provide the community greater access to a healthier and sufficient supply of agricultural products at reasonable prices, under the 'OneDA reform agenda' to level up the country's agriculture, Secretary Dar reiterated the department's key strategies for farmers to enjoy higher efficiencies in operations and improved profits.

"Pinapaigting po ng DA itong linkage between production and market para sa ganun, at the end of the day, mas mataas ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka," the DA chief disclosed.

(The DA is intensifying this linkage between production and market, so at the end of the day, our farmers' income will be higher)

Besides the turnover of the Trading Post, Secretary  Dar also led the ceremonial turnover of cash subsidy to 151 qualified rice farmers at P5,000 each through DA's Rice Farmers Financial Assistance in a bid to cushion the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law and underscored the importance of farmers joining cooperatives and their programs.

"Para mas maganda pa yung serbisyo na maibibigay ng DA at LGU, dapat ang ating mga magsasaka ay maging miyembro po sila sa isang kooperatiba, 'pag binuklod meron tayong ma-isuporta collectively doon sa mga farmers, cooperatives or associations (FCAs). Through collective action by farmers joining FCAs, ang serbisyo na galing sa gobyerno, national man o lokal, ay doon isi-sentro para mas maraming makinabang at masilbihan," he said.

(In order for the DA and LGU to provide even better services, our farmers must become members of a cooperative, 'when united we will be able to support collectively those farmers, cooperatives, or associations (FCAs). Through collective action by farmers joining FCAs, the service from the government, whether national or local, will be centered there for more benefit and service) (DA-10/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)