By Nicole J. Managbanag
Thursday, November 10, 2011THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Northern Mindanao formally opened Wednesday its second “bagsakan” or trading center for registered cooperatives at Lumbia airport in Barangay Lumbia, here.
CDA regional director Orlando Ravanera said the second branch CDA-run “pasalubong” center called Cooperative Market eases transients to access locally made products which foodstuffs are produced by cooperatives.
The second branch has coffee shop funded through effort of Abamin party-list representative Maxi Rodriguez and Ating Koop party-list.
Ravanera noted the success of the main Cooperative Market at Manresa in Upper Carmen prompting the CDA-Northern Mindanao to open up another store that is more visible and accessible to tourists.
He said the cooperative market is a paradigm shift in promoting organically grown products from 37 cooperatives in Northern Mindanao.
Among the products available at the market are organic rice and vegetables, coconut sugar, vermicast fertilizer, vinegar, Yacun, tea syrup, fresh milk, pasalubong products, ornamental plants, abaca fibers, slippers, hangers and twines sold at reasonable prices.
“We develop this market because we are now shifting our program, from conventional to sustainable agriculture. It is now time to shape the farmers to be in control in the marketing of their products. With the help of the cooperative market, we are now helping them sell to local and international buyers,” he said.
Ravanera said the people have been “brainwashed too much by foreign advertisements,” pushing them to go abroad and patronize foreign products.
“A country that is not producing will always be penalized to be poor. We are now considered the 15th poorest country since we are a dumping ground for finished products from other countries,” he added.
He said when people buy the products from cooperatives “they are supporting the livelihood of the poor.”
“This is the start of what you call the spring board of a cooperative market that will be established in the region. The cooperatives are now ready to present their products, which are of high quality and globally competitive. At least, the farmers can now look forward to a place where they can deliver their produce,” the regional cooperative agency regional head said urging more cooperatives to join the cooperative market.
“All are welcome to sell at the market, even those who are not members of cooperatives as long as their products are locally made.”
During the opening, Rodriguez and Ating Koop party list Representative Isidro Lico witnessed the event.
In his speech, Rodriguez vowed further financial aid to establish more cooperative market branches not only in Northern Mindanao but the Mindanao region as well to help improve the lives of the farmers.
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