DA Partners with San Miguel Foods to Connect Corn Farmers with Buyers

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with San Miguel Foods to create direct marketing opportunities for corn farmers, ensuring secure and timely payments while addressing supply chain challenges.

The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on January 17 in Pasig City, aims to promote sustainable farming practices and improve the agricultural value chain.

Support for Farmers and Infrastructure

“This partnership gives farmers direct access to buyers, but we must also invest in postharvest facilities to guarantee high-quality crops that meet market demands,” said Roger Navarro, former president of the Philippine Maize Federation, in a statement from the DA.

The DA has pledged to enhance postharvest infrastructure to ensure farmers can deliver high-quality produce as part of its sustainable agriculture strategy.

Decline in Corn Production

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that corn production in the third quarter of 2024 dropped to 3,329.18 metric tons (MT), a 12.3% decline from the 3,797.86 MT recorded in the same period in 2023.

The DA and San Miguel Foods’ collaboration seeks to address this decline by improving market access and infrastructure for farmers.