Philippines promotes farm clustering for agricultural development
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is promoting agricultural clustering to improve farm efficiency and productivity. DA director Ricardo Oñate Jr. shared this strategy during a recent budget review. Clustering means grouping small farms together to work more effectively. Currently, the average farm size in the Philippines has decreased from 3 hectares in the 1980s to just 0.9 hectares today. The DA's Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program aims to address challenges like increasing imports and rising poverty levels. Its goals include achieving cost-efficiency, creating market linkages with institutional buyers, and providing training for farmers. At a National Cluster Summit last year, the importance of corporate involvement in clustering was highlighted. Companies like San Miguel Foods and Universal Robina Corp. participated, aiming to mobilize farmlands and provide livelihoods through various farming initiatives. San Miguel has a sustainable sourcing program targeting 500,000 hectares of farmland, focusing on crops like cassava and sweet potatoes for its feed mills. The DA is also adapting to local governance changes by collaborating with provincial and municipal extension workers. This partnership seeks to enhance agricultural support in local communities. Other stakeholders, such as foundations and entrepreneurs, are stepping in to help identify markets for clustered farms. Prominent business figures, like Manuel V. Pangilinan and Danilo Fausto, are also contributing by forming clusters for specific agricultural products. They are working towards ensuring consistent quality and finding new markets for products like napier grass and carabao milk. To succeed, agricultural clusters need clear market opportunities. Corporations can play a vital role in providing access to larger markets, advanced technology, and business expertise. Together with local governments and the F2C2 program, these companies aim to strengthen agricultural development in the Philippines.