Benguet farmers secure steady markets through DAR partnerships

TUBA, Benguet — Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Benguet are gaining more reliable markets and improved incomes through strengthened partnerships with government institutions, the Department of Agrarian Reform in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DAR-CAR) said.

Through the agency’s monthly “Kumustahan” sessions under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) Project, agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) are being directly linked to institutional buyers such as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Philippine National Police, and local government units.

The initiative aims to ensure steady demand for farm produce while stabilizing farmers’ earnings.

With assured markets, ARBs are able to sell their produce regularly, reduce postharvest losses, and maintain a consistent food supply for communities, according to DAR-CAR.

The latest “Kumustahan” session, held April 7 in Tuba, Benguet, featured best practices from local cooperatives, including the Taloy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFARMCO).

The group showcased its farm management systems and year-round vegetable production, supported by government interventions.

In 2023, DAR provided TAFARMCO with two vegetable greenhouses equipped with drip irrigation systems under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project.

The support enabled the cooperative to improve both yield and quality of its produce.

Discussions during the session focused on expanding market access, strengthening procurement of locally grown products, and aligning stakeholder efforts to address food supply concerns.

The regular dialogues also serve as a platform for farmers and institutional partners to resolve operational issues and improve coordination in delivering food from farms to end-users.

OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lailani Cortez said sustained collaboration between farmers and government agencies remains key to building a resilient food system.

She added that such partnerships help stabilize supply while reducing rural poverty.

The initiative supports the directive of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III to intensify stakeholder collaboration, empower farmer groups, and strengthen market linkages toward food security and sustainable agricultural growth.