AsiaDHRRA Online

AsiaDHRRA is currently finalizing the program evaluation of the Linking Small Farmers to Market program conducted by external consultants Dr. Nerlie Manalili and Mr. Jing Pacturan. The evaluation has generated several promising insights and possibilities that will ensure the continued success of the commodity marketing initiatives undertaken by the [...]

Ms. Chu Thi Mai Anh, Agricultural & Rural Enterprise Development Project Officer, Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
The CRS has partnered with the Province of Nghe An to promote a territory approach to agro-enterprise development. This means that the project needs to 1) be implemented through the Government administration structure; 2) improve the skills and knowledge of [...]

By Rene Guarin
Executive Director, Upland Marketing Program
Mr. Guarin introduced the Upland Marketing Program and related about its nearly twelve years of experience in selling directly to supermarkets. He said that direct selling to supermarkets is inevitable given the worldwide trend of increasing rate of grocery sales due to various factors, such as the modernization of [...]

By Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera, National Coordinator, PhilDHRRA
A market research scanning on calamansi that was done revealed important statistics and information for any farmer or group of farmers interested in producing and marketing. It was found that the production of calamansi in the country has been increasing, with major supplies coming from Central Philippines (although [...]

Overview of Challenges Experienced by Small Farmers in Engaging with Markets, by Mr. Nonoy Villas, presented the rationale behind supporting small farmers’ commodity-based associations. He started with the definition of terms to illustrate that the small farmers have the weakest link in both the supply and the value chains.
He added that small farmers are much [...]

Country Presentations from Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia
Philippines
Mr. Luis Caballero Jr., Vice Chairperson of Zamboanga Sibugay High Value Marketing Crop, presented their community’s experience in maintaining food safety and quality standards for calamansi. In terms of maintaining product quality, this involved the processes before planting, the maintenance requirements during planting season, as well as the [...]

By Dr. Nellie Manalili, Regional Adviser for Asia on Market Access, Vredeseilanden (VECO)
Much of the problems in the agricultural sector exist because we do not understand what is going on. That is why we need to understand what are agricultural chains and how these are linked to the market.
In a simple marketing system, there is [...]

A presentation by By Mr. Peter Sousa Hoejskov, Food Quality and Safety Officer, FAO Regional Office in Asia Pacific, during the 2nd LSFM RTW.
Mr. Peter Hoejskov started his presentation with a discussion on the importance of food safety and standards. He cited that food safety and control systems provide: the basis for inspection, testing, and [...]

Excerpts from the presentation by farmer partners during the 2nd LSFM RTW.
Cambodia
Mr. Noun, chicken producer from FNN, presented Cambodia’s experience in marketing dressed chicken. He related that chicken feed during the dry season are not sufficient. They also experience difficulty in transporting the product given the great distances of markets from the farms. Because of [...]

By Mr. David Hitchcock, Agribusiness and Infrastructure Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Hitchcock’s presentation focused on the macro-side or larger picture of agribusiness, which is an important aspect to understand about agriculture. There are real differences between small holders (small farmers) and the agri-businessmen and recent sector trends and impacts have [...]

Agri-Marketing in Asia: Agri-business Perspectives presented by Mr. Senen Bacani, CEO, Ultrex Management & Investment Corporation (former Secretary, Department of Agriculture, GRP) during the First LSFM RTW.

Mr. Bacani explained that while he was here to offer an agri-business perspective from the side of the private sector, he has also worked extensively with government, cooperatives and [...]

Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small Farmers was presented by Mr. Jing Pacturan, Executive Director Philippines Development Assistance Program during the 3rd LSFM RTW. He started the session with a competitive game which simulated the dynamics of market in the real world. Based on the experience of the game, he drew the participants’ insights about [...]

Experiences of Small Cassava Farmers in Bukidnon, a presentation by Ms. Agnes Bolaños, Executive Director, Agri-Aqua Coalition for Development- Mindanao during the 3rd LSFM RTW, related about the case of Balugo farmers’ Multi-purpose Cooperative in supplying cassava chips and by-products to San Miguel Corporation, one of the biggest food and beverage processing company in the [...]

LSFM-Philippines held its 2nd in-country training-workshop last March 17-18, 2009 at the Ugnayan Hall, Partnership Center. The training-workshop, with a theme: “Complying with Market Requirements on Product Quality and Food Safety,” focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of small calamansi farmer leaders, LGU and NGO agricultural extension workers/community organizers on the importance of standardization [...]

The LSFM Program is pleased to announce the publication (print and digital) of the following books:
1. Value Chain Analysis Report: Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam
2. Mapping of Marketing Initiatives by CSOs: Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam
The books are available in print and in PDF for immediate download (click on the link to view or download).
The publication of [...]