BAGUIO CITY – Farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from across the Cordillera region participated in the Market Linkage Caravan held in Baguio City recently. The three-day event aimed to strengthen connections between local producers and institutional buyers, offering farmers direct access to better markets and fairer prices.
Organized by the Department of Agriculture Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) through the DA-CAR Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), the caravan gathered 13 FCAs along with buyers from eight companies, including Sunrise Premier Food Corp., Leslie Corporation, and H and H Philippine Food and Beverages Corp. The event served as a platform for farmers to introduce their heirloom rice, highland vegetables, and coffee products to potential partners.
Admin and Finance Division Chief Aida Pagtan warmly welcomed the participants and emphasized that the caravan bridges the gap between producers and buyers, promoting trust and long-term partnerships.
Presentations from DA’s AMAS and AMAD highlighted the agency’s support programs and business development services. Regional data on coffee and vegetable production were also shared by Ms. Freda Pagaduan, DA-CAR HVCDP Alternate Focal Person, to guide market engagement.
During the event, the buying companies presented what commodities do their companies need and what are the volumes needed. Meanwhile four FCAs presented their commodities, followed by one-on-one consultations with buyers. This is important to ensuring better market linkages and potential partnerships looking into the demands and capacities of all parties.
The discussions led to initial purchase agreements, including a 3,000-kilogram assorted vegetable order and a 700-kilogram Chinese cabbage order from Cada Hill Farmers Cooperative by Progressive Farmers of Zambales and H & H Philippine Food and Beverages Corp., respectively.
Five kilograms of coffee were also ordered by Progressive Farmers of Zambales from the Tuba Benguet Coffee Growers Association.
Additional deals are under negotiation, including a 1,500-kilogram radish supply from the Atok GAP Practitioners Association and Cada Hill Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, to be supplied to Sangkutsa Food Products Inc. Finalization of the volume for assorted highland vegetables from Cacadcadaan Multipurpose Cooperative, ordered by Sunrise Premier Food Corp., is also underway.
Buyers also visited the farms of the Atok GAP Practitioners Association and Tuba Benguet Coffee Growers Association to see firsthand the quality of products and farming practices.
The caravan reaffirmed the importance of inclusive agricultural development by helping farmers connect, negotiate, and grow their agribusinesses while ensuring buyers gain access to high-quality, locally grown products. By Alyssa Dawn Alalag
