by Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol
Chairman, Mindanao Development Authority

Tomorrow, Nov. 19, I will present in the Philippine Corn Congresss the Mindanao Corn Industry Development Program which will spell out the need for the region's local government units to invest in storage facilities to boost corn production, protect farmers from price manipulation and generate revenues for the LGUs.

The MinDACorn Program is one of the advocacies pushed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to turn Mindanao corn farming from a seasonal commodity to a well-organized industry.

With the support of its funding-partner, the Development Bank of the Philippines, MinDA will encourage provinces and towns producing corn to invest on a Corn Grains Storage Silos.

Under the program, LGUs will be assisted by MinDA in establishing the COGSS facility under an Economic Enterprise Program.

At peak harvest time when traders traditionally manipulate corn buying prices because of the lack of post-harvest facilities, farmers could deposit their produce in the COGSS while waiting for a better price.

Using the deposited corn as guarantee, the farmers could avail of a cash advance which will be deducted when he finally sells his produce at a better price.

The municipality of Baungon, Bukidnon will be the first Mindanao LGU to implement this program to protect corn farmers from price manipulators.

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny "Bambi" Emano earlier manifested his province's interest in implementing the same program.

Four other provinces, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon and North Cotabato, have been identified for the same program proposed to be funded by the European Union Grant under the Mindanao Rise Program.

Baungon Mayor Giovanni Dahino said the Baungon COGGS will also offer seeds, fertilizers, tractor and harvesting facilities payable after harvest.

MinDA aims to convince other corn-growing LGUs in Mindanao to establish the COGSS and create a network of LGUs inter-connected by a digital platform to manage supply and prices.

All Corn Farmers participating in the program will be introduced to digital agriculture where they will have direct access to latest production innovations and market data.

The program is expected to benefit not only the farmers but the end users like feedmills too because of stable and sustainable corn supply.

When established in the whole Mindanao, all corn-producing provinces and towns with the COGSS facility will be interconnected through a digital platform which will provide an accurate information on prevailing market prices and the volume of production.