Olivia Barredo
April 28, 2023

Our local farmers are, more often than not, at a disadvantage, facing challenges such as climate change, lack of government support, and surplus produce. As an individual, there is unfortunately so much we can do to help support and elevate the lives of our farmers. However, although gaining government support would help significantly, this doesn’t mean we should sit around idly when we can also play our little part and give our little contributions. This Labor Day, let’s recognize the hard work our local farmers put into putting fruits and veggies on our tables, and in return, let’s help them overcome their challenges by exploring some practical ways to support the local farmers.

Buying from the Palengke

While we do love our supermarkets and their imported chichirya, perhaps we would be better off buying fresh produce from the palengkes. These markets often provide a direct connection between the farmer and the consumer, ensuring fair prices for the hard work done by farmers, while reinvesting in local farms and communities. By being a market for their produce, it helps keep the farmers’ livelihoods sustainable, especially when buying in palengkes. You may even be able to save up on expenses, as produce from palengkes are oftentimes cheaper than what we find in supermarkets. 

Shop at Specialty and Online Stores

Alternatively, there are also online stores that sell locally grown produce, making supporting local farmers easy, accessible, and convenient. Online retailers such as Session Groceries offer fresh strawberries from Baguio, while Good Food Community offers a variety of vegetable bundles, and Down To Earth sources grass-fed beef directly from local farmers. Additionally, Atreena also offers a range of locally sourced products that can be delivered right to your doorstep, making the palengke experience hassle-free.

Invest in Agriculture

Agriculture is a critical aspect of the Philippines’ economy, and one of the key challenges faced by farmers is the lack of capital. Farming requires a significant amount of labor and capital investments, leaving many farmers with limited funds to purchase necessary inputs. As a result, farmers are often forced to borrow money from informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates from traders who offer low prices from their crops. Many farmers are left with no option but to sell at a loss and borrow more to pay off debts.

However, Smart has partnered with Cropital, a global social, agricultural enterprise, to address this challenge. It provides local farmers with access to affordable and scalable financing through crowdfunding, and when consumers purchase things like rice from Smart’s adopted farming communities, Php100 is added to a sustainability fund that provides low-interest loans to farmers for purchasing farming inputs. Once the farmers have paid back their loans, the fund is then used to support another batch of farmers.

Donate to Organizations

To further aid local farmers in the Philippines, it is also crucial to support organizations that have a comprehensive understanding of the local agricultural landscape and are dedicated to helping farmers. Some of the notable organizations and businesses include MASIPAG (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura), which aims to enhance the lives of resource-poor farmers, and PAKISAMA (Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka), a people’s organization that assists in creating farm plans for farmers across the country. 

It is evident that our local farmers face numerous challenges, making it difficult for them to thrive and provide for their families. While government support would go a long way in addressing these issues, we as individuals can also contribute to the cause. By supporting organizations that have an in-depth knowledge of the local agricultural landscape, buying from farmers’ markets and donating to organizations, we can make a significant impact in supporting the local farming industry.