The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has announced plans to establish a centralized marketplace aimed at supporting Mindanao farmers and improving their livelihoods.

In a statement Friday, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos R. Jr.’s push to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector, emphasizing the critical role of farmers as the backbone of the nation’s food supply.

“By creating a government-supported marketplace, we can cut out middlemen, enabling farmers to earn more from their produce,” Magno said.

Magno made the announcement during the Farmers Summit here on Thursday, an event attended by 800 farmers from across the region.

The summit also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Center for Asian Mission for the Poor (CAMP ASIA Inc.) and the Davao Mt. Apo Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (DAMAFACO). The agreement formalized their collaboration on sustainable agricultural programs.

Under the MOU, CAMP ASIA will provide technical support and facilitate market access for farmers, while DAMAFACO will focus on uniting farming communities to strengthen cooperative efforts.

Meanwhile, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) donated a truck to DAMAFACO to reduce transportation costs for crops and equipment, directly improving the cooperative’s operational efficiency and profitability.

Magno thanked public and private stakeholders who contributed to the summit’s success, underscoring the importance of partnerships in advancing the agricultural sector in Mindanao.

“Together, we can create a thriving future for our farmers and their families,” he said. (PNA)