At least 39 farm clusters were organized in Eastern Visayas as part of the Farm and Fisheries Consolidation and Clustering (F2C2) program aimed at improving production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Thursday.

More than half of the validated farm clusters are in Leyte province and the rest are in Samar and Southern Leyte provinces, said Rodel Macapañas, DA Eastern Visayas field operations division chief, in a phone interview.

Among the major crops and commodities covered are corn, rice and high-value crops, while others include livestock, organic agriculture, and Philippine Rural Development Project-based enterprises.

“We expect these clusters to craft a cluster development plan that will address their needs across the value chain, including marketing, production, operation, organizational development and financing,” Macapañas said.

Under Administrative Order No. 27 Series of 2020 and Memorandum Circular No. 21 Series of 2022, the DA will mainstream, promote and support clustering and consolidation of farmer and fisher groups to become sustainable business enterprises.

The F2C2 program aims to achieve economies of scale, stronger linkages among producers and markets, improve bargaining and market power, establish better access to credit and financing, encourage active big brother-small brother partnerships, and raise the overall productivity of the agriculture sector.

Clustered farms will also receive other assistance, such as scholarships and distance learning programs; and access to modern communication and information technologies like drones to improve production efficiency and management. (PNA)