DA Caraga strengthens farmer clustering, farm modernization to advance food security, Walang Gutom goals
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga is intensifying efforts to modernize agriculture, strengthen farmer organizations, and promote innovative farming technologies to boost food production, improve farmers’ incomes, and contribute to the national government’s food security agenda under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The initiatives support the Marcos administration’s directive to transform Philippine agriculture into a more productive, resilient, and technology-driven sector while ensuring Filipino families have access to affordable and nutritious food. They also reinforce the government’s Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp Program, in which the DA serves as an advisory and implementation partner by sourcing locally produced, highly nutritious agricultural products for accredited redemption stores, allowing vulnerable households to purchase food rich in protein and fiber and at the same time creating sustainable market opportunities for local farmers.
To strengthen the implementation of agricultural programs, the DA-Caraga, through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), convened a two-day Cluster Meeting on June 24-25 in Butuan City, bringing together representatives from local government units, DA officials, and agricultural stakeholders.
The meeting focused on updates on the implementation of the 2026 HVCDP projects, proposed interventions for 2027, cluster profiling, compliance with program requirements, and strategies to address challenges brought about by climate change, fluctuating market prices, and the adoption of new agricultural technologies.
Complementing these planning initiatives, the DA-Caraga Rice Program continues to promote precision agriculture through farm mechanization and digital technologies.
In Barangay Bit-os, Butuan City, the Diversified Agribusiness Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (DAFACO), one of the beneficiaries of the DA Caraga’s Rice Program on a 100-hectare hybrid rice demonstration farm, showcased the use of a drone seeder to improve planting efficiency.
DAFACO Chairperson Victor Carampatana highlighted the benefits of the technology, saying, “Our observation shows that the drone seeder can sow one hectare of farmland in just 10 to 20 minutes, compared with four to eight hours using manual direct seeding, depending on field conditions and labor availability.”
Of the 100-hectare demonstration farm, 21 hectares were planted using drone technology, while the remaining areas are being established through other mechanized planting equipment. The demonstration farm showcases modern production technologies that help increase yields, reduce labor costs, improve operational efficiency, and enhance farmers’ profitability.
Meanwhile, the DA Caraga also reinforced the implementation of its Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program during the 2nd quarter meeting and mid-year assessment held on June 25-26 in Surigao City.
Regional Technical Director Rebecca Reyes Atega underscored the importance of clustering in strengthening the agriculture sector.
“Through the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, the Department of Agriculture, together with its partner agencies, has been able to deliver more comprehensive services to farmers’ organizations, enabling them to achieve economies of scale,” Atega said.
Since its implementation in 2021, the F2C2 Program has organized 115 farmer clusters across Caraga – consisting of 29 in Agusan del Norte, 38 in Agusan del Sur, 31 in Surigao del Sur, nine in Surigao del Norte, and eight in the Province of Dinagat Islands.
These clusters comprise 28,189 farmer-members cultivating more than 32,426 hectares devoted to rice, corn, livestock, high-value crops, organic agriculture, and fisheries.
The mid-year assessment also featured accomplishments and updates from DA attached agencies, bureaus, partner national government agencies, and selected farmer clusters, highlighting collaborative efforts to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.
By strengthening farmer clustering, expanding the adoption of modern technologies, and enhancing collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders, the DA-Caraga continues to help build a more resilient and competitive agriculture sector. These initiatives contribute to the Marcos administration’s broader goal of achieving food security, increasing farmers’ incomes, and ensuring that more Filipino families benefit from nutritious, locally produced food through programs such as the Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp Program. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from DA Caraga)
