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MinDA supports coop development program in PH

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) supported the initiatives of Cooperative Development Program (CDP) that aims to strengthen the family farmers’ AgricultureFishery-Forestry Cooperatives Federation (AgriCOOPh), as they provide technical services and improve governance and financial management of cooperatives and other agribusinesses in Luzon and Mindanao.

It also aimed at linking rural development hubs to cooperative enterprises. MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta has emphasized the need to support the cooperatives particularly in Mindanao to further capacitate them as they help strengthen the economy of the island regions. She added that cooperatives played a crucial role in supporting the agriculture sector to ensure adequate food supply in the local market amid the challenges of food security. “By expanding to the global market, cooperatives can contribute more to the economy and it will also help in promoting local products to the market,” the MinDA chair cited.

During the Habi at Kape media forum on Wednesday (August 31), Alfred Allaga, Country Director of ACDI- VOCA ,

John Maynard Gan, ACDI-VOCA’s specialist for member services and innovation discusses the Cooperative Development Program and how it can assist agri cooperatives in the region during the August 31, 2022 episode of Wednesdays with Regional Business Writers and Correspondents at Habi at Kape, Davao City.

shared that the 59 year old development organization will help the cooperatives through implementing several projects related to agriculture development and several other health related programs either as a lead implementor or as a co-implementor. “Right now, we have a new program which is a cooperative development program supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is a global program implemented by ACDI-VOCA in the Philippines and simultaneously in Guinea in West africa,” he added.

Meanwhile, John Maynard Gan, ACDI-VOCA’s specialist for member services and innovation said the CDP is a five-year development program focusing on developing the capacities of the agricultural cooperatives mainly located in Luzon and Mindanao.

He emphasized that they focused on upgrading the competence of the leaders, the board directors, managers and even the staff of the cooperatives to effectively manage their agri-enterprises. “The project would be concentrating on productivity of their crops, their farming, but more of sustaining their competence. We cannot just give the leaders, the farmers of this cooperative the productivity techniques but also the competence in professionalizing their services,” Gan explained.

Mindanao agri company inks deal with Singapore firm

#MadeinMindanao. A handshake caps the agreement signed between Avante Agri-Products from Davao City (represented by Chief Executive Officer Ms. Lalaine F. Lam) and Singapore’s Bananah & Co (represented by founder Mr. Jason B.Y. Nah) was one of the highlights of the Mindanao Business Forum held at the Orchard Garden in Singapore. The partnership was forged at the sidelines of the trade and investment mission in the country. Witnessing the signing are (from L-R) Department of Agriculture XI Senior Agriculturist Marvin Auxillo, Vice Consul for Economic, Cultural and Filipino Community Relations of the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore Joy Anne B. Lai, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President for Mindanao Arturo Milan, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta, CESE, and Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro. Photo by MinDA.

A trading agreement between a Davaobased fruit exporter and a Singaporean company was signed during an investment mission here. be supplying fresh and processed commodities to Bananah & Co. PTE. LTD, a wholesale seller of fruits and vegetables. Initial products for delivery are fresh pineapple and papaya but will later include other products including fresh banana, durian, calamansi concentrate, and banana chips. A minimum of one