Roots in Agrarian Reform
The IFC was established in response to the Philippine government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), aimed at redistributing agricultural land to landless farmers and promoting social equity in rural areas. Composed primarily of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), IFC serves as a collective platform for former tenant farmers and landless rural workers in Tuguegarao and surrounding municipalities to gain ownership of land and access to economic opportunities.
As an ARBO recognized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), IFC provides vital support services to its members, including access to credit, training, marketing assistance, and capacity-building programs. These services are instrumental in ensuring that the gains from land ownership translate into improved productivity and income.
Advancing Agricultural Productivity
One of the cooperative’s core missions is to enhance the productivity and profitability of its members. Through partnerships with government agencies such as DAR, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Local Government Unit (LGU), IFC has facilitated the distribution of farm inputs, equipment, and access to farm-to-market roads. It also plays a key role in introducing sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices tailored to the local agricultural conditions of Cagayan Valley.
Members benefit from technical training on crop diversification, pest management, and organic farming, which help improve yield and ensure food security in the region. In addition, IFC acts as a marketing arm, aggregating produce and negotiating better prices for members through collective bargaining and value chain integration.
Inclusive and Cooperative Governance
IFC operates under democratic and transparent governance, with elected officers accountable to the general assembly of members. The cooperative's inclusive approach ensures that all members, regardless of farm size or experience, have a voice in decision-making. Women and youth are also actively encouraged to participate, strengthening the social fabric and intergenerational sustainability of the organization.
From the national government agencies’ projects, and programs that the Integrated Farmers Cooperative (IFC) has accessed or partnered with in line with its role as an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO), the following has significantly helped support its agricultural productivity, enterprise development, and ARB empowerment:
1. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS): Provided agricultural machinery, capacity-building, and market linkages to boost ARBOs’ productivity and enterprise viability.
Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS): Offered farm inputs and equipment like tractors and water pumps to improve climate resilience.
LinkSFarM (Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets): Enabled IFC to access market-driven training and value chain support.
2. Department of Agriculture (DA)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF): Supplied farm machinery and training under the mechanization and extension components.
High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP): Assisted IFC members engaged in diversified crop production through seeds, fertilizers, and technical training.
Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP): May have funded infrastructure or enterprise sub-projects proposed by IFC or its LGU partners.
3. Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP): Provided affordable loans to IFC for production and livelihood support.
Enhanced Credit Support for ARBs (through ARBOs): Offered working capital for inputs and agri-business enterprise development.
4. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Shared Service Facilities (SSF): IFC may have received post-harvest or processing equipment to support product value-adding and cooperative enterprises.
KAPATID Mentor ME Program: Provided mentorship and business development training for cooperative officers and farmer-entrepreneurs.
5. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Cooperative Capacity Building Programs: Offered governance, financial literacy, and enterprise management seminars.
Assistance in Cooperative Compliance and Registration: Provided guidance and resources to ensure IFC meets regulatory and reporting requirements.
6. Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST): May have assisted IFC in technology upgrading, particularly for food processing and packaging.
Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP): Possible support for the productivity enhancement of IFC-led agri-enterprises.
7. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
Programs/Projects Accessed:
Agri-related skills training: For cooperative members in areas like farm machinery operation, crop production, and food processing.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its successes, IFC continues to face challenges such as climate variability, limited market access, and fluctuating commodity prices. To address these, the cooperative is investing in digital tools, exploring value-added processing, and advocating for stronger ARB support policies.
Looking ahead, IFC envisions itself as a hub for agri-entrepreneurship and a vital stakeholder in regional food systems. By leveraging its ARBO status, it seeks to expand its impact beyond Tuguegarao, serving as a beacon for agrarian reform success stories across the country.
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