The Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) gathered selected farmer clusters from Bulacan and Tarlac for an Agri-Credit and Market Linkage Forum aimed at strengthening agricultural enterprises through better market access and affordable financing.

Organized under the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, the forum brought together farmer groups, institutional buyers, traders, processors, and financing institutions to explore business partnerships and credit opportunities.

Participating financing institutions included the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and partner lending conduits.

Through supplier-buyer consultations and a Credit Consultation Clinic, participants presented their products, learned about buyers’ quality standards, and explored financing options for production, post-harvest operations, and logistics.

The initiative seeks to generate concrete business agreements, trial procurement arrangements, and financing referrals to strengthen the competitiveness and livelihoods of organized farmers and fisherfolk in Central Luzon.

By connecting agricultural producers directly with markets and financial institutions, DA-RFO III aims to build more sustainable and profitable agri-enterprises across the region.