ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) will use recommendations from nearly 500 farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives and other agriculture stakeholders nationwide to help shape policies and programs aimed at strengthening farm and fishery clusters and building more sustainable livelihoods.
The stakeholders gathered in Iloilo City for the National Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Forum from September 22 to 24, where they were given a platform to raise problems confronting their sectors and share successful practices, innovations and strategies that could be replicated across the country.
F2C2 Program Deputy Program Director Ann Ray Rivera said the inputs gathered during the three-day forum would be consolidated and used as basis for policy recommendations to be submitted to the office of Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr.
The recommendations will help the DA determine programs and projects that could more effectively respond to the needs of farmers and fisherfolk.
“Maraming boses ng farmers and fisherfolks sa buog Pilipinas ang magkakaroon ng pagkatataon na masabi kung ano mga problema, ano ‘yong magandang nagawa ng DA sa kanilang mga komunidad at sa kanilang cooperatives or associations,” Rivera said ahead of the forum.
Rivera said the forum also allowed stakeholders from different regions to exchange experiences, good practices, innovations and strategies that could strengthen farm and fishery clusters nationwide.
Discussions focused on the particular needs and opportunities of different regions, as well as strategies and measures to strengthen farmers’ and fisherfolk’s organizations and agricultural enterprises.
Through clustering and consolidation, the DA expects farmers and fisherfolk to better organize production, improve access to markets and financing, and strengthen their capacity to establish more sustainable livelihoods.
The forum likewise provided a venue for stakeholders to discuss challenges confronting the agriculture and fisheries sectors while learning about innovations and programs being pursued by the DA under Laurel.
Experts and representatives from different organizations were also invited to present research and other inputs that could contribute to the development of the agriculture sector.
One of the forum’s highlights was the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Trade Fair and Exhibit at Robinsons Place Iloilo, which opened on September 22.
The exhibit featured agricultural products from participating regions across the country and provided producers an opportunity to showcase and sell their products to the public./PN
