Binondo, Manila – August 1, 2025 — The vibrant flavors, crafts, and culture of Region 2 have once again taken center stage as the Regional Grand Bagsakan and 2nd Negosyo Agraryo Fair 2025 opened its doors at Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila. Running from July 30 to August 3, the event showcases an exciting array of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) products from across the Cagayan Valley Region.
Organized through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and partner agencies, the fair aims to promote inclusive growth by providing local entrepreneurs, especially agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), a strategic venue to market their products and expand their reach beyond regional borders.
Visitors can explore an array of goods, from processed food, organic produce, handicrafts, native wear, and wellness items, to award-winning agricultural products such as garlic from Nueva Vizcaya, bananas from Isabela, and processed fruit and vegetable products from Cagayan. Each booth tells a story of hard work, resilience, and the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of the communities in Region 2. The event is not just a marketplace, it's a celebration of local talent, innovation, and the partnerships that empower our agrarian reform communities.
In its second year, the Negosyo Agraryo Fair continues to grow in popularity, drawing in both curious mall-goers and loyal customers seeking authentic regional products.
The Grand Bagsakan is part of DAR’s efforts to strengthen market linkages for ARBs and cooperatives under its Enterprise Development and Economic Support Services (EDESS). It also aligns with DTI’s goal to boost MSME competitiveness under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program.
Shoppers, foodies, and advocates of local products are invited to visit the fair until August 3 and support the farmers and artisans of Region 2. Admission is free.
Tuguegarao
City, Cagayan
— In the heart of the Cagayan Valley, the Integrated Farmers Cooperative (IFC) stands as a model Agrarian Reform Beneficiary
Organization (ARBO), playing a transformative role in uplifting the
lives of smallholder farmers through inclusive growth, sustainable
agriculture, and community development.
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.
Carabao milk and yogurt
Carabao milk pastillas
Get your pasalubong here: Assorted products inside IFC's Dairy Box
