MIDSAYAP, COTABATO – In a groundbreaking moment for Mindanao’s agriculture sector, a group of mango farmers has made history by delivering 20 tons of fresh green mangoes straight to one of the country’s largest fruit processors—without a single middleman in sight.
The Cotabato Mango Growers and Producers Cooperative has pulled off what many thought impossible: a direct supply agreement with KLT Fruits Inc., a top-tier processing company based in Cavite. The shipment, which took place on Thursday, June 5, is more than just a logistical success—it marks a shift toward more equitable and inclusive trade for farmers in the South.
“This isn’t just a delivery—it’s a breakthrough,” declared Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). “It proves that when we take out the layers of middlemen and empower cooperatives, our farmers win bigger.”
A Fair Deal for Farmers
The partnership was facilitated by MinDA with support from the Local Government Unit of Midsayap, laying the foundation for the first-ever direct trading deal between Cotabato’s mango growers and a national buyer. The approach is simple but transformative: farmers declare their volume, agree on a price, set a delivery schedule, and receive 80% of the payment upfront—with the remaining balance paid upon arrival at the processing plant.
“The system was refreshingly simple. No haggling, no guesswork. And best of all, the farmers were thrilled to see fair pricing and fast payment,” said Benedict Ella, KLT’s Fruits Purchasing Manager.
This first 20-ton shipment is only the beginning. KLT Fruits has already committed to source up to 1 million kilograms of green mangoes from Mindanao this year, creating what could be a multi-million peso opportunity for mango growers across the island.
A Bigger Vision for Mindanao Produce
Beyond mangoes, the partnership opens doors for other high-value crops. KLT Fruits has its eyes set on:
- Ube from Lantapan, Bukidnon
- Calamansi from Zamboanga Sibugay and Davao de Oro
- Durian from Davao City
MinDA is actively laying the groundwork for more direct-trade arrangements and processing partnerships, including mango puree processing facilities and permanent buying hubs across the region.
“This is what inclusive agribusiness looks like,” said Secretary Magno. “Real money in the hands of real farmers. Transparent deals. And a reliable market that treats growers as partners, not just suppliers.”
Aligning with National Goals
The initiative also supports the Marcos administration’s agenda for a modern, food-secure, and inclusive agriculture sector. It aligns seamlessly with MinDA’s “Building a Better Mindanao” campaign, which advocates for sustainable, direct-to-market models that put rural communities at the center of agri-trade development.
From the sun-drenched orchards of Midsayap to the processing floors of Cavite, this milestone isn’t just a mango shipment—it’s a bold new roadmap for rural prosperity, built on trust, transparency, and the transformative power of farmer-first trade.