The DA-Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program conducted its Mindanao-wide Cluster Summit at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Obrero, Davao City on August 16-18 with the theme: “F2C2: A Strategy for Sustained Rural Development.” The week-long activity was participated by DA Officials and staff, Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), non-government organizations (NGOs), private institutions, and local government units (LGUs). The said Cluster Summit seeks to foster interaction among FCAs and for them to be able to enter into Big Brother-Small Brother partnerships.

Five (5) resource speakers were invited to discuss topics that are essential for the farmer groups: Credit and Loan Application; Improving Value Chain through Clustering; Role of Women in Agriculture; Digital Marketing; and Cooperative Building. The FCAs also showcased their respective commodities and products through the exhibit at the venue lobby. The participants were divided into two (2) groups where each group is tasked to visit one (1) highly-performing cooperative each in Maragusan, Davao de Oro and Matanao, Davao del Sur.