07nc-4930 - Enhancing the Marketing Capacity of Corn and Sugar Farmers in the Philippines
NATCCO is a multi-service national cooperative federation established in 1977 by the credit union pioneers in the Philippines. NATCCO was organized in response to the growing needs of the primary cooperative affiliates to coordinate the provision of training and educational services at the national level and to serve as the voice of cooperatives belonging to the NATCCO Network. NATCCO has formulated a new project proposal for het period 2007-2009 based on an external evaluation wich took place in 2006 and reviewed the progress of the 2004-2006 project and identified its strengths and weaknesses. The outcome was to focus on a reduction of the vulnerability of the corn and sugarcane farmers in the marketing of their products by enhancing their capacities to directly transact with market outlets and set fair prices. Specific objectives are: 1. To improve the operational and financial sustainability of the marketing enterprises in Batangas and Bukidnon. 2. To improve the welfare of farmer-households and promote sustainable production practices 3. To raise public awareness and influence national policies on agricultural marketing Indicators: - A Manual of Business Operations is developed and formally adopted - Increase in outreach by at least 150 new members each, of whom at least 1/3 are women - Increased volume of marketed corn and sugar, and additional farm products - Net Operating Incomes are sufficient to cover the salary costs of subsidized marketing personnel - Increase in net farm incomes - Development strategies are written - Farm plans are prepared - Household budgets and reproductive health are adopted - Non-destructive farming practices are applied - Favorable marketing policies and programs are adopted by relevant agencies