In a continued effort to boost the country’s corn and cassava industries, the Department of Agriculture – National Corn Program (DA-NCP), in partnership with the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, launched a workshop on June 2-6, 2025 at the DA-Batanes Experiment Station.
The event focused on mainstreaming cluster development plans and introducing updated monitoring tools for corn and cassava production.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with the skills to implement cluster development strategies at the local level, aligned with the goals of the F2C2 Program and the National Corn Program.
A key highlight was the introduction of updated monitoring tools to track and evaluate Cluster Development Plans (CDPs), promoting better integration, resource alignment, and increased productivity in the corn and cassava value chains.
DA-NCP Director Milo D. Delos Reyes and DA Regional Field Office (RFO) 02 Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension Dr. Roberto C. Busania led the activity.
The participants included key officials and staff from the DA-NCP, the DA-F2C2 Regional Program Management Offices, and the Regional Corn Programs from Regions I to XIII, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Negros Island Region. Also in attendance were F2C2 Program Director Ricardo Oñate and Deputy Director Ma. Christine Inting.
Mr. Jaylord Y. Bagasin, DA-RFO 02 Alternate Focal Person, discussed the Cluster Development Planning and Status of Implementation per FCA using the PowerBi Data Visualization.
DA-RFO 02 also shared its best practices in clustering farmers, cooperatives, and associations (FCAs). These include regular program orientations and cluster formation, assistance in CDP preparation, enterprise readiness assessments, support for enterprise establishment, ongoing progress tracking, and recognition of outstanding clusters. These practices are continuously reviewed and refined to ensure effective and sustainable cluster operations.
An open discussion followed, where participants shared regional experiences and insights on using the monitoring tools. Key points raised included the need to customize tools based on local contexts and crop types, enhance digital accessibility, and streamline data collection for improved efficiency and accuracy.
Further, the succeeding days will feature F2C2 cluster validation activities and field visits. These visits aim to observe on-the-ground implementation, assess the effectiveness of cluster development strategies, and provide direct feedback to participating FCAs and regional implementers.
The workshop and field activities reflect the Department of Agriculture’s strong commitment to strengthening farmer clusters, promoting inclusive enterprise development, and driving sustainable agricultural growth through strategic planning and localized implementation.
Via Julian E. Florague