There is a wise move from the private sector to intensify its participation in the movement of agricultural goods in the country by setting up cold storage facilities in strategic points and avoiding spoilage. However, there may be a parallel problem that must also be addressed which is the provision of vital market information in aid to farmers especially those wanting to explore expanding production of specific products.
Already there is a plan by the Ayala Group to establish cold storage facilities as part of an effort to help the agricultural sector and at the same time, it is informed that AC Logistics Holding Corp. is currently looking at putting up more cold storage facilities in the country. Perhaps, our business sector may view the urgency of providing our farmers, especially the small farmer, market information on where and what are the price differentials and volume of products needed in various parts of the Philippine market at any time of the year. The threat of spoilage (a threat of economic loss) is a very important factor to a small farmer. In terms of numbers, the small farmer who outnumbers the big farmer is the farmer in great need to have the proper market information. In my opinion, our agricultural sector will improve exponentially if small farmers find that small-scale farming can provide food for their families and can even send their children to school.
Jaime Delima Raneses,lotliejim@yahoo.com