DAR, private firm tap digital marketing to boost farmers’ production, income
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has partnered with AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) to use digital marketing and enhance the management capabilities of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB).
A private company engaged in the importation and trading of high-value crops, ANI will serve as the institutional buyer of agricultural products and provide an innovative digital facility to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBO).
In a news statement, DAR Secretary Bernie Cruz said the partnership would greatly help farmers, saying it would boost the economic value of their agricultural yield.
“These past years, through the DAR’s effort, our ARBs become the suppliers of the food requirements of various government agencies. At this juncture, ANI will become the first private sector [partner] that stands as the institutional buyer of our farmers,” Cruz said.
Such a milestone, the DAR chief added, would bring more private entities to provide more opportunities to ARBs for a wider and larger market for their agricultural products.
Under a memorandum of understanding, the ARBOs of Regions 3 and Calabarzon are the initial beneficiaries of the partnership.
They would be provided with an innovative digital facility customized for the agricultural sector to make it easy for farmers to adapt to the planned digital transformation of the agricultural industry.
ANI President Antonio Tiu said they are honored to give the farmers an opportunity to level up their output, especially their high-value products such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
“Together with DAR, we would also assist the ARBOs in coming up with a farm plan and management based on market requirements,” Tiu added.
Meanwhile, DAR Support Services Office Undersecretary Emily Padilla said the partnership would help the ARBOs to grow more and encourage them to become more productive.
“The e-commerce that would be offered to our ARBOs would help them connect easily with various merchants and ensure a market for their harvests through the institutional buyers and consumers,” she said.
