On August 8, 2025, the Shifting Markets through Shared Labels webinar brought together participants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to share how Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) are transforming markets through collective branding and labeling.
The event was organized by NTFP-EP and IIED, with support from the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF). One of the key speakers was Ms. Norma Dasco, CEO of CANOFECO, who shared valuable insights from the agricultural sector, focusing on the federation’s implementation of a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for organic rice in the Philippines.
Recognized by law in 2020, the PGS offers a low-cost, farmer-friendly alternative to conventional / third party organic certification. In October 2023, CANOFECO successfully became an accredited Organic Certifying Body, with its PGS anchored on farmer participation, peer inspections, co-created standards, and transparent traceability from farm to market.
Some of the benefits highlighted by Ms. Dasco are:
- Better market access and premium pricing for farmers
- Improved product quality through knowledge sharing and capacity building
- Stronger connections with stakeholders, including government agencies and buyers
We warmly congratulate Ms. Dasco, all presenters, and the organizers for an insightful exchange that advances sustainable agriculture and market inclusivity.
CANOFECO is supported by the agri-agency member Trias and was part of the FO4A programme, financed by the European Union, administrated by IFAD and co-implemented by AgriCord and Asian Farmers' Organisation and La Via Campesina.