Marcos wants DA, CDA coordination to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives

Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing continued assistance to farmers. (PCO File Photo)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to coordinate with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to strengthen the farmers cooperatives.

During the inauguration of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) Grains Terminal and Trading Project in Batangas City, Marcos acknowledged the importance of cooperatives in helping farmers improve their productivity and income.

“Inatasan ko ang DA na makipag-ugnayan sa CDA, Cooperative Development Authority, para patibayin, palakasin ang mga kooperatiba ng ating mga magsasaka (I have instructed the DA to coordinate with the CDA, Cooperative Development Authority, to strengthen and fortify our farmers’ cooperatives),” Marcos said.

“Gaya ng SIDC, tutulungan natin ang mga kooperatibang ito upang magkaroon ng mga bagong makinarya, mga post-harvest facilities, upang mapataas ang kanilang ani at ang kanilang kita (Like SIDC, we will help these cooperatives to have new machinery, post-harvest facilities, to increase their yields and their income),” he added.

Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing continued assistance to farmers.

This, as he stressed that a “new Filipino” is like a hardworking farmer who is disciplined, skilled, and has love for the country.

“Patuloy tayong magsikap. Patuloy tayong magtulungan at magsulong para sa pag-unlad ng bagong Pilipinas (Let us continue to work hard. Let us continue to work together for the development of a new Philippines),” Marcos said.

As of 2023, there were 20,752 cooperatives in the country, according to CDA data.

Based on government records, about 2,616 of the total cooperatives are agriculture and 774 are agrarian reform.

The cooperative industry created over 312,000 jobs, the data showed.