The farmer leaders of Maligaya Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (MAMC) in San Miguel, Bulacan, take pride in becoming “mga siyentistang magsasaka” or farmer scientists and farmer technicians.
Their journey began in 2009 when, as 33 agrarian reform beneficiaries, they established the Maligaya Farmers Association. Eventually, the Department of Agrarian Reform influenced the organization to become a cooperative to access more subsidies and projects from the government. In 2011, they registered their organization as Maligaya Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (MAMC).
MAMC became a member of the Aniban ng mga Manggagawa at Magsasaka sa Niyugan, Inc. (AMMANI; national farmer organization) in 2016. It is currently the lead organization for the provincial chapter with 92 members from two towns: San Miguel, Bulacan and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. Total hectarage of all members combined is 120-130 hectares.
Since becoming a member of AMMANI under the AFOSP-MTCP2, the farmer leaders were exposed to various capacity-building opportunities. They were trained as siyentistang magsasaka or farmer scientists/technicians. They also became trainers and resource persons for other AMMANI member organizations. MAMC also hosted the AMMANI training on organic farming where farmer-delegates of different AMMANI member organizations learned about organic farming, Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (IDOFS), and other alternative farming options. MAMC members also implement these farming techniques in their respective farms.
As farmer technicians, they were also able to extend their knowledge and skills to schoolchildren in their community. As part of their service to the community, they started the Gulayan sa Paaralan, Patuloy sa Bakuran. This project provided the opportunity to teach farming to schoolchildren. The students, in turn, were motivated to start organic farming in their home backyards. Awards were given to children and sitios who were able to grow their own vegetable gardens. Other community service activities of MAMC include participation in medical missions, tree planting, and feeding program for children.
Through the support of AMMANI and AFOSP-MTCP2, MAMC has also built strong relationships with the municipal government and other government agencies. The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) considers the cooperative as a representative of farmers in the municipality and is also the MAO’s source for some updates on agriculture. MAMC also holds a position in the Municipal Cooperative Development Council. As a cooperative, MAMC earns from its pre-and post-harvest services which include rental from tractors, water pump, thresher, corn sheller, solar driers, and flatbed driers. AMMANI as a national FO has been helpful in accessing equipment and machinery from the government and facilitating requests for other resources.
MAMC members give value to their organization because of the benefits that they enjoy from supporting their cooperative. They can get discounts from the rental of farming equipment and learn different farming techniques. Diversification of crops has proven to be the most effective approach to farming for them. The members value their unity and perseverance to keep the cooperative active. They have already reaped benefits from farming and being a member of the organization. Aside from farming techniques, they were taught how to save and manage their finances. They have been able to send their children to school and some of them already have children who are college graduates.
Given MAMC’s strengths as a cooperative, the organization looks forward to becoming beneficiaries of two millers for corn and rice from government agencies. They will use these to expand their business from renting pre-harvest equipment to also providing post-harvest services. They also look forward to promoting organic farming in their town and consolidate the products of their members.
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