Better market linkages may soon come for farmers and fisherfolk in Calabarzon as the Pagsanjan, Laguna and Bacoor, Cavite local government units begin the development of potential enterprise subprojects for funding under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-Up (DA-PRDP Scale-Up).

The DA-PRDP Scale-Up is a project by the DA and the World Bank that aims to bring positive transformation to the agriculture and fisheries sector by developing, funding, and implementing infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. To leave a bigger and sustainable impact in the sector, the DA-PRDP Scale-Up utilizes more refined and expansive processes, tools, and perspectives in project development. The project will put more focus on mitigating and recovering from climate change effects, clustering and consolidation, and the rice and corn commodities.

The Pagsanjan LGU will propose a multi-commodity trading center catering to lowland vegetables. It shall improve the locality’s existing trading center or bagsakan by providing modern, bigger, and centralized infrastructure and support facilities for storage and marketing. It targets to benefit nearby municipalities in Laguna and may reach as far as other localities in North Luzon.

Meanwhile, the Bacoor LGU plans to propose a food distribution hub which aims to improve and expand the marketing of agri and fishery products, increase the income of farmers and fisherfolk, and encourage food production in Cavite. According to the LGU, their town will be an ideal location for the subproject because of its proximity to bigger trading areas and market opportunities.

Both LGUs, with the support of the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office Calabarzon, are complying with the requirements to propose the subprojects for funding. For interested LGUs or farmers cooperatives and associations, visit the DA-PRDP 4A office at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Calabarzon, Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station in Brgy. Maraouy, Lipa City, Batangas or send an e-mail at prdprpco4a@gmail.com. #

A representative from a farmer’s association in Pagsanjan shares to the DA-PRDP their needs on marketing which may potentially be addressed by the multi-commodity trading center subproject being developed. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

According to the Pagsanjan LGU, the farmer’s associations in the locality are playing an active role in developing the multi-commodity trading center enterprise subproject proposal. The LGU is also conducting benchmarking activities in various parts of Calabarzon to ensure the subproject’s success and sustainability. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A I-BUILD Rural Infrastructure Engineer Jordan Dorado checks the sample infrastructure plan of the Pagsanjan LGU’s multi- commodity trading center. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Currently, Pagsanjan farmers are selling their harvests in a small area beside the Municipal Agriculture Office. The multi-commodity trading center, once granted funding, will increase the influx of customers as it will occupy a bigger area and will have modern and efficient facilities for product storage and many more. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A I-REAP Business Development Officer Colene Magpantay presents a sample business plan to the Bacoor LGU which is one of the vital requirements to propose an enterprise subproject for DA-PRDP Scale-Up funding. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Representatives of the Cavite PLGU and CLGU discuss the commodities included in their Provincial Commodity Investment Plans which may be catered to by their potential food distribution hub subproject under DA-PRDP Scale-Up. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)