KITCHARAO, Agusan del Norte — A local government-led marketing initiative in Kitcharao is successfully redefining the agricultural landscape by eliminating middlemen and providing farmers with direct access to consumers.
The “Tabo sa Kitcharao LGU Farm,” a twice-weekly market held every Tuesday and Friday, has become a vital trading hub where farmers now negotiate prices face-to-face. This shift has allowed growers to move away from a long-standing cycle where intermediaries dictated terms, often leaving families with earnings barely enough to cover production costs. To support this transition, the local government has deployed vehicles to collect produce directly from farms, significantly reducing the logistical burdens and costs for local producers.
The initiative aligns with a broader national push for agricultural productivity and fairer market returns. Beyond logistics, the program focuses on rebuilding lives through the Kitcharao Livelihood and Employment Project (KLEP). Launched in 2023, KLEP has already seen more than a hundred farmers produce over 126,000 kilograms of vegetables, generating millions in sales and expanding to support members of the Mamanwa indigenous community.
“I want our farmers to learn and be guided by the modern way of farming. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to sustain their livelihood,” said Mayor Jenry Montante.
Central to this transformation is a three-hectare LGU Farm in Sitio Lapucon. The site serves as a learning center where farmers are introduced to modern, integrated methods combining crops, livestock, and aquaculture. By diversifying their harvests, farmers are able to spread financial risk and create multiple income streams, including emerging opportunities in agri-tourism through on-site tilapia ponds.
Local farmers, such as Nelia Geroy from Barangay Mahayahay, have already felt the impact. After floods devastated her 3.5-hectare farm, Geroy was able to restart through seedlings and technical assistance provided by the local government. Her recovery is part of a growing trend in the municipality where stable income is replacing the uncertainty of the past.
Municipal Agriculturist Raul del Agua observed that the community’s farmers are no longer simply producers at the mercy of the market. They are becoming active players in a growing local food system, one that values their work and sustains their future. As the sun rises over the LGU Farm each market day, the buzz of activity serves as a testament to a journey from survival toward long-term economic stability.|
