Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro (third from left) and San Miguel Foods Group General Manager Emmanuel B. Macalalag shake hands after signing their first nationwide public-private partnership (PPP) in agriculture. Others in photo are (from left) San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) Protein and Animal Nutrition Business Group Head Jose Marcelo Blanco, Dr. Leo Obviar, SMFI VP and Protein and Animal Nutrition Business GM; SMFI Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs Head Rita Imelda B. Palabyab, and DA Assistant Secretary U-Nichols A. Manalo.
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) have launched their first nationwide public-private partnership (PPP) in agriculture designed to improve Filipino farmers’ incomes, boost food security, and bring quality food to more Filipinos.
Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), SMFI will establish and manage buying stations for key crops such as corn, cassava, sorghum, and soybeans. With this, farmers will have direct access to an institutional buyer, ensuring a stable and fair market for their produce and delivering better financial returns.
The partnership also incorporates strategies to modernize and streamline agricultural supply chains nationwide. These improvements are expected to promote long-term growth and sustainability in the sector benefiting farmers, consumers, and the entire country.
To further support the agricultural community, SMFI will share laboratory procedures for crop acceptance and conduct capacity-building seminars for DA-recognized farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs). Additionally, it will offer its food products to cooperatives, creating opportunities for additional income.
The DA, on the other hand, will introduce advanced technologies to improve crop monitoring and harvest volume projections. It will also provide technical assistance to SMFI’s farmer partners, particularly those in DA-recognized FCAs.
Moreover, the DA will deliver quality assurance training, support SMFI’s information campaigns for direct buying and community reseller programs, and grant access to select research stations for varietal preservation and planting material development.
“This partnership will not only benefit the farmers, but also the broader society as a whole. By sourcing quality local ingredients for feed production, we can significantly reduce import costs which will in turn lower prices of meat in the market, eggs, and several other meat (products) for consumers — creating a win-win scenario for both producers and households by ensuring that only high quality raw materials are used,” said Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in a statement.
“We are also safeguarding the health of our consumers. Let us continue to harness this partnership to create a more sustainable and resilient local agriculture industry that will empower our farmers and ensure food security, and drive economic growth in the country,” he added.
San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) Chairman Ramon S. Ang added, “This partnership allows us to invest directly in our farmers and the future of Philippine agriculture. By offering fair prices and consistent support, we help farmers improve their livelihoods and make agriculture a more sustainable and rewarding industry.”
The signing of the MOU was led by DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro and San Miguel Foods Group General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag. The ceremony was attended by key representatives from DA-recognized farmer cooperatives and associations, together with senior officials from both organizations.
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