Agusan Sur town signs landmark agreement to boost calamansi industry
PATROCINIO, Sta. Josefa - a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was recently signed between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the local government unit (LGU) of Sta. Josefa, and the Sta. Josefa Unified Calamansi Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SJUFARCO) to develop the SJUFARCO Processing Center.
The agreement aims to strengthen calamansi production and processing in the area, to create better economic opportunities for local farmers.
The collaboration falls under the Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, which aims to help Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) build profitable businesses, add value to their produce, create jobs especially for women and improve household incomes.
The initiative is expected to transform Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) into more progressive and sustainable rural areas.
The project follows a three-tiered strategy: "I-Farm, We-Grow, We-Build" that will encourage ARBs, small farmers, and local organizations to actively participate in livelihood activities and the agricultural value chain.
One of the key goals of this partnership is to improve the processing of SJUFARCO’s calamansi ready to drink juice and concentrate products.
“We are delighted to witness this step toward enterprise development. This initiative is a big leap forward for the entire community," said Loida Jones, emphasizing the importance of working together.
SJUFARCO has experienced significant growth in 2024, and with the help of the VLFED project, it aims to enhance its processing capabilities and expand its market reach.
DTI Provincial Director Marzon Jan Dolendo highlighted the need for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO) certification, which is required by institutional buyers, malls, and trade fairs.
"Currently, DTI prioritizes endorsing food producers with FDA certification to trade fairs. We want to ensure their efforts are not wasted, as most institutional buyers require FDA approval," Dolendo explained.
He assured that DTI and DAR will support SJUFARCO in obtaining its FDA LTO registration by the end of the VLFED project. This certification will open doors for SJUFARCO to enter large supermarkets, institutional buyers nationwide, and even international markets.
The signing ceremony was attended by several key officials, including LGU representative Dax Fernan Salise, SJUFARCO Chairperson Fernando Llabore, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Joven Pizarro, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Ronie Gayol, Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office (DARPO) personnel, Department of Trade and Industry's - Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (DTI-CARP) personnel and SJUFARCO members, all of whom witnessed this milestone event.
This partnership is expected to bring more opportunities for local farmers, boost the agricultural sector in Sta. Josefa, and pave the way for a stronger, more competitive calamansi industry. (DTI Agusan del Sur/ PIA Agusan del Sur)
