Mati City, Davao Oriental — Farmers in Davao Oriental now have a new venue to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers with the turnover of the Farmers Mall to the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) on August 15, 2025, at the Government Center in Barangay Dahican.
The newly inaugurated facility is envisioned as a hub where local farmers can display their harvests and value-added goods, cutting out middlemen and ensuring fairer earnings for their hard work. With stalls dedicated to fresh produce, processed products, and souvenirs, the Farmers Mall offers both residents and visitors a one-stop marketplace for authentic agricultural goods from across the province.
Among the products expected to fill its stalls are Davao Oriental’s finest coffee, cacao, abaca, fruits, root crops, and other high-value crops — all cultivated by local farmers and cooperatives. For consumers, this means direct access to fresher, more affordable goods while helping strengthen the livelihood of rural communities.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, in his message during the turnover, underscored that the initiative is more than just a trading space. “The Farmers Mall is a big step toward strengthening our economy through agriculture and tourism. It is not only a venue for commerce but also a showcase of Davao Oriental’s rich agricultural heritage,” he emphasized.
For the farming sector, the mall addresses one of their long-standing challenges — market accessibility. By providing a steady platform where producers can engage directly with buyers, farmers gain a greater share of income while reducing dependency on traders. This, in turn, improves their financial security and motivates them to sustain agricultural production.
Local cooperatives also stand to benefit, as the mall allows them to widen their market reach, attract partnerships, and develop more competitive products. Meanwhile, tourists visiting Mati City will now have an added attraction — a cultural and agricultural stopover where they can purchase homegrown specialties straight from the source.
The Farmers Mall embodies the province’s continuing commitment to empower its farmers and revitalize agriculture, which remains the backbone of Davao Oriental’s economy. It represents not just a physical space but also a symbol of resilience and opportunity for thousands of farmers whose labor fuels both local sustenance and the region’s growing tourism industry.