ATTY. RANIBAI D. DILANGALEN

Undersecretary for Special Concerns

INITIATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ON COOPERATIVES FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF

COMMUNITIES

OBJECTIVES

This presentation aims to: 1. Present overview of the current status of Philippine Agriculture; 2. Provide brief description and importance of cooperatives in relation to Philippine Agriculture; and 3. Enumerate existing programs/projects of DA attributed to cooperatives

This presentation aims to: 1. Present an overview of the current

status of Philippine Agriculture; 2. Provide brief description and importance of cooperatives in relation to Philippine Agriculture; and 3. Enumerate existing programs/projects of DA attributed to cooperatives

INTRODUCTION

Pursuing inclusive growth has been the focus of the administration.

IF YOU WANT INCLUSIVE GROWTH, IT MUST START WITH AGRICULTURE Agriculture plays a vital role in the Philippine economy. Of the 30 million hectares of land in the country, 1/3 is devoted to agriculture;

2/3 of the populace depends on these lands for their livelihood.

Today’s challenges in Philippine agriculture include land, climate, and support system for food production. But these problems can only be solved by

focusing on farmers, who are now “endangered species.”

CHALLENGES

LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS…

To promote inclusive growth, the DA works with different agricultural cooperatives.

But first, what are Cooperatives? Voluntary organizations of

people who have agreed to pool their resources together in order to undertake an economic enterprise for the purpose of meeting their common needs, and which they themselves democratically manage and control, and share the economic benefits on the basis of participation and patronage.

WHY IS COOPERATIVISM IMPORTANT? It is estimated that 1 billion individuals are members of cooperatives worldwide, generating more than 100 million jobs around the world.

In agriculture, forestry, fishing and livestock keeping, members participate in production, profit-sharing, cost-saving, risk-sharing and income-generating activities, which lead to better bargaining power for members as buyers and sellers in the marketplace.

Cooperativism in the Philippines

Generally, the Philippines adheres to the basic principles of cooperativism…

Membership is maintained as voluntary. Related to this, cooperatives avoid destructive competition and undertake constant expansion.

Cooperatives operate across all sectors of our economy and include agriculture, food distribution and retailing, credit unions, purchasing, worker-owned, housing, and energy cooperatives.

Cooperatives promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all people and are a major economic force in developed countries and a powerful business model in developing ones.

The DA and Cooperativism

In the agricultural sector, agricultural

Cooperatives play an important role in achieving food security for all.

70 % of those who face hunger live in rural

areas where agriculture serves as the economic mainstay.

Smallholder farmers are central to addressing

hunger, yet many face barriers such as:

(1) lack of infrastructure; (2) outdated farming practices; and (3) lack of access to financial services

Improve farmers’ agricultural productivity and equip them with access to marketing, savings, credit, insurance, and technology.

Serve both to connect farmers to markets and to increase food

production. Support smallholder farmers enhances global food security and

reduces poverty.

Cooperatives

Link smallholder farmers to markets by aggregating their product;

Facilitate the adoption of new technologies and inputs; Encourage greater productivity and crop diversification; and Provide a platform for smallholder producers in decisions that

affect their livelihoods.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ENDEAVORS WHEREIN THE DA HAS PARTNERED

WITH DIFFERENT COOPERATIVES TO ACHIEVE INCLUSIVE GROWTH …

I. FARM MECHANIZATION Enhances the efficiency of both land and labor, inputs that are vital in

sustaining food production, and increasing farm income. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is mandated by the Agricultural

and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 to give priority to the development and promotion of appropriate agricultural machinery and other agricultural mechanization technologies, to enhance agricultural mechanization in the countryside.

II. TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS

The role of agricultural education and training in improving the lives of agricultural stakeholders can never be understated. In fact, thousands of farmers from around the country have benefited from trainings and educational events conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

Farmers Education

Agricultural Sustainability and Countryside Development

• Skills on Entrepreneurship

The Department of Agriculture believes that…

Farmers now need support for business development more than support in training. Only when they can be wealth-creators and not wealth-seekers can the country keep them from leaving the countryside. Having said that, the DA values the role of cooperatives in attaining these goals.

III. BUREAU OF PLANT AND INDUSTRY

Production Support Services Buffer Stocking for White and Yellow Corn

Support to Cassava Production

Biological Control Program

a. Trichogramma Production Program

b. Earwigs Production Program

c. Pest & Diseases Surveillance and

Control Program

Aflatoxin Prevention Program National and Regional Field Monitoring for Corn and Cassava

IV. AGRICULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

Extension Support ,Education , &Training Ser-

vices

Techno Demo

a. Corn Techno Demo/Learning Sites

b. Cassava Techno Demo

c. SCoPSA (Sustainable Corn Produc-

tion

Entrepreneurial Training

Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas Training

Farmer Field Schools

Bantay Peste Brigade Trainings

Cassava Livelihood Trainings for Food

Support to Farmer Field School & Integrated Pest

Management

Support to Quality Corn Achievers Award

V. Sugar Regulatory Authority

BENEFICIARY AREA BENEFICIARY AREA 1. United Small Sugarcane Planters Cooperative Cagayan 15. Brgy. Mahayahay BF Project Davao del Sur

2. SVK Marketing Coop. Cagayan 16. San Jose Matanao Block Farm Davao del Sur

3. Sampaguita Farmers Marketing Cooperative. Cagayan 17. Manual, Kiblawan Block Farm

Davao del Sue

4. Guiteb Ramos Planters’ Assoc. Tarlac 18. Lasang Block Farm Bukidnon

5. Maunlad Sugar Planters’ Assoc. Tarlac 19. Sakampu CBFM Farm Bukidnon

6. June Block Farm 2015 Tarlac 20. Bershiba Agrarian Reform Community Coop

Bukidnon

7. Maliwalu Balik Barangay Farmers Assoc. Pampanga 21. Bayanihan Millenium MPC Bukidnon

8. SAPA Pampanga Farmers Irrigators’ Assoc. Pampanga 22. Kiburlao Small Farmers’ Organization

9. Brgy. Urdaneta Sugarcane Planters’ Assoc. Cavite 23. Silangan Escano Workers’ Cooperative Bukidnon

10. Saluysoy Farmers’ Assoc. Batangas 24. MK Sugarcane Planters’ MPC Cotabato

11. BISMPC - Batangas Batangas 25. Gocotan Sugarcane Block Farming Assoc.

Cotabato

12. Samahan ng Magtutubo sa Pooc 14. Tinangis Upland Farmers Consumers

13. Guinaban MPC –

Camarines Dur

2016 Tractor Beneficiaries under SIDA Block Farm Project

VI. National Tobacco Authority

1. Livelihood Training

Provide capability and skills training to the women and children of tobacco farming families; Improve food sufficiency, health, and wellness; Increase opportunity for self-employment; Raise the economic and living condition of the tobacco farming families

May be availed by family members of assisted coops whose training needs to fall under the available skills training courses Trainees must be endorsed by the Branch Office through the

Extension Workers May be availed by family members of assisted coops whose training needs to fall under the available skills training courses

Trainees must be endorsed by the Branch Office through the Extension Workers

2.Cooperative Marketing Facility Assistance

To provide seed capital and assistance packages

May be availed by cooperatives registered with CDA and those included in NTA’s master list

Shall follow a set of guidelines; applicable forms shall be filled out

3. Continuous Education of Cooperatives/ Leadership/ Organizational Development

To provide continuous education and training for the

cooperative officers and members; to develop viable, self-reliant, and cohesive organizations that will sustain the institutional fortitude of the members

May be availed by cooperatives whose training needs fall under the programmed CDA standard courses Beneficiaries may be determined by Extension workers of the agency

4. Renewable Energy and Fuel wood Devt. Project and Restoration of Ecological Integrity

To supply and augment the fuel wood requirement of flue-curing of Virginia tobacco and for the construction of curing facilities

A. Synchronized Tree Planting

Conducted in July to coincide with the NTA Anniversary participated by coops, schools, NGOs and tobacco companies

B. Kahuyang Pangkabuhayan at Pangkalikasan Consists of bamboo and tree production; the farmer-cooperator will raise their own seedlings for planting

*These programs may be availed by any interested assisted cooperatives

VII. MODERNIZATION OF THE AQUA-FISHERIES SECTOR

Aquaculture in the Philippines has a long history and involves many species and farming practices in diverse ecosystems. Most of the production comes from the farming of seaweed, milkfish, tilapia, shrimp, carp, oyster and mussel.

The future growth of Philippine aquaculture may not be sustained unless new markets are developed, market competitiveness is strengthened and farming risks are reduced. In this age of international trade and competition, the Philippine aquaculture industry needs to plan and implement a development and management program with a global perspective.

To fast-track the attainment of these objectives, the DA finds it prudent to partner with cooperatives.

VIII. BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES

Programs and Services: 1.Program on Organizing of Fisherfolk Cooperatives for a Cooperative Production and Marketing System; 2. Assistance in the fulfilment of the requirements; 3. Sponsorship of CDA- mandated trainings such as Pre-Registration Education Seminar which is required for all cooperative members and trainings for cooperative officers like the a). Fundamentals of Cooperatives and Cooperative b).Management and Governance; 4. Setting up marketing linkages;

5. Mentoring the cooperatives on the strict observance of the International control procedures for handling cash, management of the cooperatives; and

6. Values Formation

Beneficiaries Areas Beneficiaries Areas

1. Quinluban Islands Agutaya Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative

Palawan 20. Sibunag Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative

Guimaras

2. Agutaya Fishermen Cooperative- Palawan; 21. Dapa Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Surigao Norte

3. Cuyo Fishermen Cooperative Palawan; Surigao Norte

4. Northern Palawan Fishermen Cooperative- Palawan 23. Taganaan Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Surigao Norte

5. Landing Fishermen Cooperative- Palawan 24. Bislig Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Surigao Sur

6. Quezon Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative- Palawan Palawan 25. Talibon Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative- Bohol

7. Southern Palawan Fishermen Cooperative Palawan 26. Getafe Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative- Bohol

8. Bacacay Fishermen Cooperative- Albay Albay 27. Buenavista Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Bohol

9. Rapu-rapu Fishermen Cooperative- Albay Albay 28. 22. General Luna Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Mabini Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative

Bohol

10. Castilla Fishermen Cooperative- Sorsogon Sorsogon 29. Cadijay Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Bohol

11. Sorsogon Seaweeds Producers Cooperative- Sorsogon Sorsogon

12. Overseas Filipino Workers Aqua Marine Mktng Coop. Dipolog City

13. . Barobo Fishermen Cooperative- Surigao Sur

14. . Ulugan Bay Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative

Puerto Princesa City

15. San Jose Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Mindoro Occ.

16. . Bulalacao Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Mindoro Or.

17. Sta. Fe Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Romblon

18. Estancia Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Iloilo City

19, San Dionisio Fisherfolk Marketing Cooperative Iloilo City

LOANS PROGRAMS

1. Program for Unified Lending to Agriculture (PUNLA); 2. Sikat Saka Program (SSP); 3. Cooperative Banks Agri-Lending Program (CBAP); 4. Climate Change Adaption Financing Program (CCAFP) 5. Landbank Agri-Financing Program (Landbank-AFP) 6. Value Chain Financing Program (VCFP) 7. Survival and Recovery Loan Program (SURE) 8. Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF)

*DA utilizes coops as lending conduits in the loan application of their members-farmer /fisher folk. In effect, their respective coops have been benefiting with mechanism as an organization.

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COOPERATIVE

DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Partnership between DA and CDA

The partnership between DA and CDA has been conceived in order to promote and enhance the capability of farmers and fisherfolk through cooperative empowerment.

This Partnership Aims to: Identify agricultural organizations and encourage and assist them to cooperativize; Implement capability building and training activities for existing and newly-formed cooperatives; Coordinate with different training institutions for the training of members and officers of existing and newly-formed cooperatives; and Help these cooperatives to generate more income

CONCLUSION

The DA will continue to partner with the different cooperatives in order to achieve the goals of promoting and enhancing the capability of farmers and fisherfolk.

THANK

YOU!!!