The Network for the Development of Agriculture Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC) will convene its International Stakeholders Summit in the Philippines starting Tuesday to strengthen coordination among agricultural cooperatives and international partners to address food security, hunger, and poverty.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview Monday, NEDAC Vice Chair Virgilio Lazaga said the summit is intended to expand collaboration among cooperative networks and global development institutions to improve agricultural productivity and resilience, as aligned with the government’s development priorities under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Lazaga highlighted the importance of cooperation in effectively addressing the pressing challenges the country faces.

“Kung gusto ninyong may mangyari, tayong lahat ay tumulong hindi lamang isa o dalawa o tatlong nasyon dito. Medyo scattered pa po ngayon pero ngayon po medyo gumaganda-ganda na at magtutulung-tulungan na ang ating… especially now that we are addressing the food security problem. So, we have number two, dalawang mga kalaban natin, hunger and poverty, ito po ang ating ia-address (If you want something to happen, we all need to help, not just one or two or three nations here. It’s still a bit scattered right now, but it’s getting better, and we will work together… especially now that we are addressing the food security problem. So, we have number two, our two enemies, hunger and poverty, this is what we will address),” he said.

He cited a program of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) called “Koop Kapatid” which connects large-scale cooperatives, which he called “billionaire’s cooperative”, with smaller ones, to help strengthen capacity.

Currently, he said there are around 138 “billionaire’s cooperatives” nationwide ready to help.

Meanwhile, he said the CDA has 13 million members nationwide, of which 3 million are in the agricultural sector.

On international engagement, Lazaga said member countries must move beyond discussions and ensure concrete implementation of cooperative initiatives, underscoring the need for collective action to overcome fragmented efforts.

He called for stronger government support for agriculture, including infrastructure development and post-harvest facilities, to reduce farmers’ losses.

Lazaga said the summit will bring together major international organizations involved in agriculture and development, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO, and the United Nations Development Programme. (PNA)