What to do about surplus agricultural produce in Mindanao?
@bantilesroger (341)
Philippines
November 28, 2008 12:43am CST
Mindanao is the island-group in Southern Philippines where there are lots of surplus products, especially fruits and vegetables, depending on the season. During peak production periods when the prices are very low, many products are wasted. Most do not even reach the market.
I wonder how these products can be maximized and marketed raw/fresh or processed.
Mindanao has been periodically wracked by conflict. Among the factors of the conflict are the severe lack of economic opportunities and avenues for social advance. A good market for Mindanao's surplus products will increase people's incomes.
Prosperity - when shared by the whole population - can do much to dampen the conflict because the whole population will be affected and lose the fruits of their years of hard work.
Are there groups which can help us market these surplus products, or advise us how to market these surplus products?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@dmoleman (18)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
Before looking at individuals or groups of people to help us with these surplus foods, let us first find if the government did their functions to alleviate the problem. Does farm-to-market roads constructed by the local/national government? There are testimonies of farmers that to enable their farm products to reach the market, they have to carry it on their back and walk several hours to reach good passable roads and wait for vehicles to bring them to the market. When they arrived at their intended destination, their farm products won't fresh anymore, thus, lessen the marketability of their products. The initiative of the government to launch the Ro-Ro project (Roll-on Roll-off vessel) was a very good initiative, but it must have been much better if farm-to-market roads were developed also to compliment the Ro-Ro project.
@celticeagle (166976)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Nov 08
there should be a way to work with the US and get these fruit and vegetables to us. Then if we have more it would lower in price here. that would help America Then we could find something from here that would help your area and we could all benefit.
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@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
28 Nov 08
More investment that is and of course better peace situation but then there is great cultural diversity which makes it hard...and for one those who want to invest here are just taking for granted mindanao, it does not appreciate it rather appreciates what they could gain and thats just it... there is too much here that can be gain but no one wants to try and help mindanao
