At least 28 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs) are profiting from an ongoing weekend market program between the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 13 (Caraga Region) and the SM City Butuan.

“The partnership allowed our ARBOs to directly market their products to the customers,” DAR-13 said in a statement Tuesday.

Products sold to the public include locally-produced and organically-grown fruits and vegetables, milled rice, coffee and cacao, coco vinegar, and high-quality artisanal handicrafts.

Under the program, the ARBOs are provided spaces in the mall area to sell their products every Saturday and Sunday from May 18 to 28.

“In a span of two days after the opening, the ARBOs were able to garner a total of PHP41,000 in sales,” the DAR-13 said.

An increase in sales is expected as buyers from this city and nearby towns are frequenting the weekend market looking for organically produced food products, it added.

The Katipunan Agricultural Producers Cooperative (KAPC) from Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur was among the ARBOs that joined the program.

“We are glad to be part of this program as we are able to introduce and market our products to the public,” Gina Mojado, KAPC chairperson, said in an interview.

DAR did not only provide the cooperative with support services but also linked it to market centers, she added.

“Marketing is an important component for our business to grow. This collaboration between the DAR and SM should continue to allow more ARBOs to participate and open their markets,” Mojado said. (PNA)