The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro awarded a total P2,210,000.00 financial assistance to six farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) on November 26 and 27, 2021 during the Farmers’ Day activity held at Mindoro State University Bongabong Campus and Bulwagang Panlalawigan, Calapan City respectively.

In support of their respective livelihood projects and business enterprises, Bukluran Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) from San Aquilino, Roxas received P1,000,000.00 while Roxas Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ROMMCO) from Paclasan, Roxas and Lakas Bisig ng Magsasaka ng Prutas at Gulay received P240,000.00 each. Other beneficiaries include the Sandigan ng mga Magsasaka sa Agrikultura sa Kanayunan (SAMASAKA) of Calocmoy, Socorro, Farmville Farmers Association of Upland Organics of Lagpan, Roxas and Samahan para sa Kabuhayan ng Fortuna of Fortuna, Socorro which received P300,000.00, P230,000.00 and P200,000.00 respectively.

Four of the FCA beneficiaries are supported under the Value Addition Program of the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office which aims to promote value added agriculture as a strategy to boost higher economic returns from farming. Among the focused commodities of these FCAs are banana, turmeric, squash, rootcrops, cassava, and coconut which is the base of their value-added products. They will use the financial assistance to procure processing equipment such as juicer, dough roller, dough mixer, stainless tables, refrigerators and innovative packaging materials among others. While the two other FCAs, BMPC and SAMASAKA are supported under the Institutional Development Program of PAgO which helps strengthen FCAs in terms of organizational capacity and business enterprise.