The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) recently hosted a webinar featuring the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA- AMAS), where Market Specialist Clavel Domingo highlighted various DA-AMAS programs designed to empower farmers, fisherfolk, and those venturing into agribusiness.
Domingo emphasized DA-AMAS’ efforts in strengthening market access for farmers and fisherfolk through enterprise development and market linkage activities. “Our battle cry is to provide affordable and good quality agricultural products to consumers,” she said.
One of DA-AMAS’ key initiatives is the KADIWA Retail Selling program, which creates a direct producer-to-consumer food supply system, bypassing the conventional trader- dominated marketing chain. Through partnerships with government institutions, LGUs, the private sector, DA-AMAS helps farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) sell their products in markets and trade fairs, providing selling areas free of charge.
DA-AMAS also facilitates market linkages for agri-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), connecting them with institutional buyers and supporting them through product promotion events. These efforts, according to Domingo, are crucial in opening new markets for small agricultural enterprises. Enterprise development is another core focus, with DA-AMAS providing entrepreneurship training, business planning, and technical support. “Agribusiness is not just about production; you can explore other activities in the value chain, such as providing trucking services or acting as consolidators,” Domingo advised those interested in the field. She encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to align ventures with their resources and capacity.
DA-AMAS also manages the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS), a web-based information system, which contains a registry of agricultural, and fisheries enterprises, list of possible and implemented programs and projects, and roster of private companies engaged in these enterprises. Under ACPC credit programs, enterprises interested in borrowing must be registered
with the FFEDIS. “Enterprises who want to register in the FFEDIS must submit their business permit and accomplished FFEDIS enrollment form to DA-AMAS if they are from NCR or to the DA- Regional Field Offices at the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD),” said Domingo. The partnership between DA-ACPC and DA-AMAS highlights that while credit access, facilitated by DA-ACPC, is vital, additional support like market linkages, enterprise development, and infrastructure assistance from DA-AMAS is essential for the sustainable growth of agri-fishery enterprises.
