- The Philippine government has launched a formal inter-agency framework to strengthen agricultural cooperatives.
- The initiative aims to improve livelihoods, food security, and sustainable economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and fisherfolk.
- By streamlining government programmes, reducing overlaps, and enhancing data-sharing, the framework seeks to deliver more consistent and effective support to agricultural cooperatives nationwide.
The Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC), signed on May 20, formalised coordination between the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
If successfully implemented, the framework is expected to improve livelihoods, strengthen food systems and create more sustainable economic opportunities for them
“The initiative is a strategic step toward more organised, data-driven rural development that could improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, and create sustainable opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk nationwide,” said the statement published by the DA.
The agreement aims to align policies, reduce overlaps in government programmes and deliver more consistent support to agricultural cooperatives nationwide.
It will bring national agencies, local government units (LGUs) and development partners into a unified system that targets food security, enterprise development, livelihood generation and inclusive rural transformation.
“By aligning the efforts of national agencies and local governments, we can build a more responsive and efficient support system that contributes meaningfully to food security and national development,” said Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
By improving coordination and data-sharing, officials said the initiative would enable more efficient deployment of resources and better monitoring of outcomes.
Agricultural cooperatives are central to the strategy for their role in helping smallholders consolidate resources, raise productivity, and access larger markets.
The government sees them as key vehicles for building resilient, community-based enterprises that can scale and compete more effectively in domestic and international markets.
“This memorandum is more than a policy document – it is a concrete whole-of-government commitment to empower our farmers and fisherfolk through stronger and more sustainable cooperatives,” said Tiu Laurel.
A major component of the JMC is strengthening the role of LGUs in cooperative development.
Under the plans, local authorities are expected to integrate cooperatives into municipal and provincial plans, while supporting implementation, monitoring and validation.
This was designed to ensure that national policies are able to translate into tangible outcomes at the local level.
The initiative also seeks to address long-standing inefficiencies caused by fragmented government interventions.
By harmonising programmes across agencies and establishing a unified, data-driven system, the framework aims to reduce duplication and improve service delivery to cooperatives.
Officials said this will allow cooperatives to expand operations, innovate, and improve competitiveness.
The JMC aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s broader agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector through institutional convergence and grassroots enterprise development.
The administration has repeatedly highlighted the role of cooperatives in driving food security and sustainable rural growth, including during Cooperative Month celebrations in October.
With inter-agency reviews completed, the memorandum is now set for dissemination to regional offices, marking the start of nationwide implementation.
