Farmers from the Cotabato Mango Growers and Producers Cooperative have successfully delivered their largest shipment yet, 20 tons of fresh green mangoes, to one of the country’s top fruit processors, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced Tuesday.

In a statement, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said Cotabato province’s mango harvest was sent to Cavite province-based KLT Fruits Inc. during its first shipment on June 5.

Facilitated by MinDA and supported by the Midsayap town government, the shipment marked the first direct trading deal between Cotabato’s mango growers and a national-level buyer.

“This isn’t just a delivery. It’s a breakthrough. It proves that when we take out the layers of middlemen and empower cooperatives, our farmers win bigger,” Magno said.

KLT Fruits purchased the mangoes at premium farmgate prices.

“The system was simple. No haggling, no guesswork. And best of all, the farmers were thrilled to see fair pricing and fast payment,” Benedict Ella, KLT Fruits purchasing manager, was quoted as saying in the same statement.

He added that KLT has committed to source up to one million kilograms of green mangoes from Mindanao this year.

Magno said MinDA is actively establishing direct trade channels, including mango puree processing partnerships and setting up permanent buying hubs in Mindanao.

“This is what inclusive agribusiness looks like. It’s about putting money directly into the hands of actual farmers and creating a reliable market that treats growers as partners, not just suppliers,” Magno said.

The initiative demonstrates the Marcos administration’s commitment to fostering inclusive, food-secure agriculture while enhancing MinDA’s “Building a Better Mindanao” campaign by promoting sustainable and farmer-centered trade models. (PNA)