The Market Linkage Caravan recently organized by the AMAS-AMAD of the Department of Agriculture has achieved great milestones for the agriculture sector in Eastern Visayas.
After this 3-day event in Tacloban City, it became a resounding success, connecting suppliers with institutional buyers and fostering meaningful partnerships.
But what makes this event extra special was the unexpected “crying scene” that happened in the end while participants were giving their personal impressions.
Ms Virgie Pagad-Gozo of Pearlfoods, a buyer from Luzon whose roots came from Tanauan, Leyte, felt overwhelmed with emotion as she gave her impressions.
According to her, she just realized that she need not go far in looking for suppliers of banana after figuring out the needs of her fellow countrymen (kababayan) and the extent of their own potential to supply such raw materials or products her company (Pearlfoods) really needed or wanted.
This realization triggered a strong emotional response, likely a mix of empathy, sadness, and perhaps a sense of responsibility.
Right there and then, a marketing contract was sealed on-the-spot between Pearlfoods and the Enales Farm of Jaro, Leyte.
Mr. Ernesto Enales, a farmer leader and agripreneur, signed the marketing agreement for the initial delivery of 10 tons of Cardaba Banana at P22/kilo starting first week of August, and every month thereafter.
Aside from this, the Century House for Spices, commits to buy vegetables, fruits and bananas from local suppliers to bring together healthy selections of farm products at affordable prices in a refreshingly clean and organized shopping destination such as Robinsons Malls in Tacloban and Ormoc Cities, and four more upcoming Robinsons Malls in Region 8.
Other instutional buyers like Dizon Foods, Ridad and Global Foods also made positive business pitches providing endless opportunities not only for our local crop producers, but to the organized groups of fisherfolk in the region as well.
So far, these are bold lifelong commitments and opportunities afforded to our local FCAs as a result of the Market Linkage Caravan jointly organized by AMAS-AMAD, the Department of Agriculture’s national and regional marketing arms.
RED Andrew Rofolfo T. Orais of DA-RFO 8, made his presence felt during the first and second day of the Market Linkage Caravan. In his inspirational message, he said that all production efforts of farmers will just go in vain if they could not connect or link up with the markets.
He then thanked AMAS Team led by Ms Joyce M. Bengo for working in tandem with AMAD in coming up with this Market Linkage Caravan. “This is the venue or platform where perceived gaps on production volumes of our local food suppliers, and the volume requirements of institutional buyers will be aptly adressed or settled,” the DA-8 Chief stressed.
In a related story, there’s a new acronym that caught the fancy and imagination of our farmers during the recently concluded market linkage caravan.
It’s not about the dreaded EJK which became a buzzword in the recent past, nor is it a war on drugs, but another kind of war or revolution for the poor.
Most participants representing farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) were one in saying that UJB should be popularized so that it may become a fast rising phrasal expression that could make a big difference and spur socio-economic and rural development in the countryside.
I am referring to “UJB” which was repeatedly highlighted by institutional buyers during the market pitching sessions vis a vis our farmers and fisherfolk.
As we all know, EJK sends fearsome message of human rights abuses, but UJB (which stands for Ube, Jackfruit, and Banana) ignites hope, strength and inspiration that would motivate our communities to plant extensively these market-driven crops.
Perhaps, there’s no need for any further elaboration. It’s a public knowledge that since June 2016 up to June 2022, a violent ‘war on drugs’ has allegedly claimed numerous lives in the Philippines. Executions targeting drug dealers and users not only exacerbate the drug problem, but constitute a violation of the fundamental human rights.
UJB is far different since it is a reminder for our small farmers to focus on high value priority crops. Growing market-driven crops that could sustain lives, as well as ensure increased famers’ income.
So, whenever you hear people saying UJB, fear not. Instead, help us spread the news and promote Ube, Jackfruit – especially, the EVIARC Sweet variety which is the sweetest jackfruit in the country, or rather, in the whole world.
Finally, the Ube is a profitable crop to venture into with its high production returns and growing export market potential. It is a crop with many uses. The most famous of these is being an ingredients in many desserts and pastries.
Almost all the 12 instutional buyers from Luzon were looking at Ube as a sunshine industry in the region. The strengthened collaboration between the local suppliers and buyers will focus on sustaining the production of the Ube Kinampay variety, touted as the queen of purple yam, and the variety that is preferred in the international market.
The DA has pledged to work on the expansion of Kinampay plantations across regiobs, as well as look into possible areas not only here in Leyte, but also in Samar.
