Innovations In Governance: Cotabato Farmers Outlets

Innovations In Governance:
Cotabato Farmers Outlets
Imagine a Provincial Government which facilitates the marketing of its farmers’ produce by establishing outlets in Metro Manila and other big cities to sell commodities produced in excess of local requirements such as vegetables, fruits, organic and freshly-harvested rice, free-range chicken and Halal meat.
In the 5-Year Master Plan for Agriculture, Health and Economic Development which I crafted for North Cotabato, I envision my province to stand as a model of governance innovation which will support its farmers by facilitating the marketing of their produce.
The envisioned Cotabato Farmers’ Outlets will actually be the institutionalization of the farm and market linkage models which I initiated as early as the years when I first served as Governor from 1998 to 2007 and later as Cabinet Secretary.
During the years I was Governor, North Cotabato collaborated with SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City and SM City in Lahug, Cebu for the annual Cotabato Fruit Festival.
When I served as Secretary of Agriculture, I initiated the DA TienDA which addressed the sudden spike in vegetable and other food prices in Metro Manila by bringing in vegetables, fruits and fish from Mindanao.
As Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority, I initiated the MinDA Teinda in Manila and the MinDA Fruit Festival in Baguio City.
What was established in those innovative marketing strategies was that consumers in the urban centers appreciated the idea of being able to buy food items at a lower price while helping farmers at the same time.
It was also established that by linking farmers directly with consumers, they get more value from their produce.
These activities momentarily corrected an institutional problem which is the flawed and trader-controlled marketing system.
An institutional problem could only be solved through institutional reforms which is why I am now advocating for the activation of an agricultural marketing corporation owned and operated by the provincial government.
Here is how it could be done:
1. Identify the basic food commodities which North Cotabato farmers could produce like Rice, Halal Meat (Beef, Chevon, Lamb and Free-Range Chicken), Vegetables and Fruits;
2. Provide farmers and local producers with support by ensuring a ready market and a fair price for their produce;
3. Open Cotabato Farmers’ Outlets in the urban centers, especially Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Baguio City which will sell the goods at prices with a minimal mark up to cover the operational costs and ethical profit to keep CFO viable.
This strategy will not only encourage our farmers to produce more but also create jobs for our young college graduates and out-of-school youth in the processing facilities, while earning profit for the provincial government’s economic enterprise.
When established, the Cotabato Farmers’ Outlets will serve as proof of the Filipino truism: “Kung Gusto, Maraming Paraan; Kung Ayaw, Maraming Dahilan.”
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!