“Maraming salamat sa AMAD ng DA sa pagbibigay sa amin ng pagkakataon na makakilala ng ilang mga kompanya na maaaring bumili ng aming mga ani. Posibleng kumita kami ng mas malaki kung tuluyan na kaming magkasundo tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay (We are very grateful to AMAD of DA for giving us the chance to talk with some possible buyers. We could have earn bigger if we are able to finally close the deal),” said Apolonia del Mundo of Sweet Pearl Corn Farmers’ Association of Agoncillo.

Representatives of 16 other organizations and/or cooperatives from municipalities of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, and Lemery actively participated during group discussions with the buyers – Sea-Land Harvest, Incorporated of Malabon City which requires 20 – 30 metric tons (MT) per month of peeled cassava for PhP18 – 20 per kilogram; Planta Ivanka of Baliuag, Bulacan that prefers seven MT per week of fresh Lakan cassava for PhP450 per sack; and San Miguel Corporation which is looking for cooperatives that have at least 20 hectares (ha) of agricultural land devoted to cassava plantation.

Towards the end of their meeting, agreements according to product quality, volume, price, delivery schedule, and the like were guaranteed.

Cassava crop can be used for manufacturing food for livestock, sweetener, medicines, and liquor, among others. It can also be cooked to many recipes for livelihood.

According to Regional Corn Program Coordinator Avelita M. Rosales, cassava is identified as one of the essential crops in the fulfillment of the DA’s food stability and sufficiency agenda. Thus, in enhancing its production in Batangas, the Corn Program targets to plant cassava in 990 ha of land and to produce 10,242 tons (T) in 10.35 T/ha average yield in the current year.

Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Batangas and his staff, representative of Regional Corn Program, and Provincial Corn Program Coordinator and her staff also supported the activity.

Market matching for different agricultural commodities of the region is one of the activities of AMAD which helps buyers and suppliers establish relationship and build beneficial and sustainable marketing agreement among parties, ensuring that products are available at the right volume, price, quality, and time. For more details, AMAD can be reached through (02) 928 4237 and/or amad_rfu4a@yahoo.com. • ARC