BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture- Cordillera (DA-CAR) has officially launched its three-day Year-End Assessment and Review of the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program for Fiscal Year 2025 yesterday, February 5, in Baguio City. This event brings together key stakeholders to evaluate progress and plan future actions for strengthening agricultural clusters in the region, benefiting farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs.
The F2C2 Program, which has become a significant part of the DA’s initiative, is focused on consolidating and clustering Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs). The goal is to empower more individuals in the agriculture and fisheries sectors by providing opportunities for greater production, increased income, and improved resource utilization. By forming stronger, more unified groups, farmers and fishers can take advantage of economies of scale and government support under various banner programs.
Regional Technical Director for Operations, Danilo P. Daguio, highlighted the value of FCA consolidation in enhancing farmers’ and fishers’ capacities. He explained that the clustering would not only help increase production and earnings but also ensure the maximization of government resources, elaborating that it would lead to effective interventions under the DA’s banner programs. Furthermore, Daguio announced that the DA-RFO CAR would begin implementing a cluster-oriented beneficiary model in support of the F2C2 initiative. He expressed hopes that the review discussions would allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of the strategy and its long-term impact.
Further, Regional F2C2 focal person, Crissa Genice Datic, discussed the significance of crafting effective Cluster Development Plans (CDPs). She stressed that the development of these plans should focus on identifying each cluster’s anchor and major commodities, which would form the basis for recommending which banner programs are most suitable for funding their proposals. Datic also reminded participants that clustering is a voluntary act and not mandatory.
Meanwhile, Dr. Robert R. Acosta, team leader of PRIMEX , the consulting firm assisting the DA F2C2 Program through funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), shared insights into their role in providing technical assistance. Acosta noted that their objective is to support the program’s strategy, particularly within the six pilot sites, including the Cordillera. He mentioned that they aim to distill critical lessons and integrate these into the nationwide implementation and institutionalization of the program. Acosta emphasized that the long-term goal is to increase the competitiveness of Philippine agricultural products in the global market, especially by integrating farming mechanisms and practices across different sectors.
Moreover, Project Development Officer, Kit O. Apolinario from the F2C2 Central Office, encouraged the participants to reach out for continued technical assistance. He emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive and effective extension services, which will be carried out in collaboration with other agencies such as the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), private institutions, and civil society organizations. These partnerships will help ensure that FCAs and agricultural entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to grow and sustain their operations.
The event also included the presentation of accomplishments from different provinces. Representatives from various provinces, including provincial and municipal F2C2 focal persons, Municipal Agriculturists and Agriculture Officers, FCA representatives, Agricultural Program Coordination Officers (APCOs), and banner program representatives, participated and shared their insights during the day.
For Fiscal Year 2025, the F2C2 Program has an allocation of approximately PHP 12 million. These funds will be used to support upcoming activities, professional services, representation expenses, and other operating expenses related to the Program. The funding will ensure that the program’s objectives are met, and that more farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs benefit from the clustering and consolidation initiatives. By Leny D. Mendoza
