MinDA Vegetable Derby! Honoring Mindanao Farmers, Completing The Value Chain

One of the most dramatic and meaningful events undertaken by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) was the Mindanao Vegetable Derby held for the whole planting and harvest season from July to December.

It was dramatic because it was held during a very difficult period in governance in the Philippines when almost everything came to a stand still because of a mysterious virus called “COVID 19.”

Vegetable farmers too were acknowledged and honored for their outstanding achievements during the season, the first time it was ever done.

The event was also very meaningful because it succeeded in showing how the rich resources of Mindanao could be transformed into materials which could address poverty through what is called Complete Value Chain.

Farmers could plant almost all of the food commodities needed by the country and fishermen could catch plenty of fish but they have remained poor simply because the process of food production is not complete.

For so long, government has focused only on convincing farmers and fishermen to produce more but it failed miserably in guiding them how to process and sell their produce to get a better reward for their labor.

This was the message that MinDA wanted to impart when at the end of the

Season-Long Mindanao Vegetable Derby, marketing agreements with buyers of farmers’ produce were signed.

By next year, vegetables from the IMTASULA Vegetable Region of Bukidnon Province will be marketed in Cebu Island by Ultramart, a chain of 18 supermarkets.

A start-up marketing company also engaged the farmers in producing organically grown vegetables for high value products.

With a ready market, farmers and fishermen could produce more because I have always believed that profitability is the best motivation for greater productivity.

This is the way MinDA will push production activities in Mindanao.

#ProfitabilityBoostsProductrivity!

#AgricultureIsCommonSense!

(This video presetation showing the closing ceremonies and awarding of winners in the Mindanao Vegetable Derby was prepared by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)

https://fb.watch/aNXxvu3UfF/