Shared on Facebook by the DA COMMS Team, the collection of words in double quotes above is the exact title of an article published in Agriculture Monthly, dated June 2018, reprinted May 2019; it is written in the same formula of journalism that got now-Editor in Chief Zac Sarian the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism – stories of single farming or gardening persons, families, or groups earning so much this time. There is no substitute for success!
That noted, today, I say the much greater call is for journalism that tells of success stories of farmers or gardeners earning so much this time – and next time, in a sustainable manner. Towards emancipation from poverty.
Today the news is of 300 Nueva Ecija cucumber farmers with one big customer: Unilever. Following my concept of Journalism 4.0, the discussion will be fourfold: production, processing, marketing, and sharing to cover the whole farming business.
Production –
“(Sunrich Manufacturing Corporation sees) to it that the cucumber crop is grown using good agricultural practices.” I note that Sunrich is managing the project directly, not Unilever. So, there is added cost of a “manager.” This means Sunrich is the one paying the farmers directly, not Unilever. Expect a management fee.
“(Sunrich Manufacturing Corporation sees) to it that the cucumber crop is grown using good agricultural practices.” I note that Sunrich is managing the project directly, not Unilever. So, there is added cost of a “manager.” This means Sunrich is the one paying the farmers directly, not Unilever. Expect a management fee.
Processing –
I can imagine there is no processing except keeping the newly harvested cucumber under shade while awaiting loading into a refrigerated van.
I can imagine there is no processing except keeping the newly harvested cucumber under shade while awaiting loading into a refrigerated van.
Marketing –
It is Sunrich that does the marketing with Unilever for the Nueva Ecija farmers. Expect a marketing fee.
It is Sunrich that does the marketing with Unilever for the Nueva Ecija farmers. Expect a marketing fee.
Sharing –
So, how much income do the cucumber farmers receive from Sunrich? And how much income does Sunrich make from Unilever out of the cucumber produced by the cucumber farmers?
So, how much income do the cucumber farmers receive from Sunrich? And how much income does Sunrich make from Unilever out of the cucumber produced by the cucumber farmers?
In Fairness –
My question now is: Are those incomes of Sunrich fair to the cucumber farmers? There is no substitute for fairness!
My question now is: Are those incomes of Sunrich fair to the cucumber farmers? There is no substitute for fairness!
Option: Instead of Sunrich, the cucumber farmers of Nueva Ecija who own those 80 hectares could have formed a cooperative themselves to take care of the nitty gritty of managing the production and marketing of their produce.
Sustainability –
What about any signed Memorandum of Agreement that the business arrangement will last for at least 5 years and is renewable, unless discontinued as mutually agreed upon? For the protection of both.
What about any signed Memorandum of Agreement that the business arrangement will last for at least 5 years and is renewable, unless discontinued as mutually agreed upon? For the protection of both.
I know those Nueva Ecija farmers are happy for the bounty that their cucumbers are bringing to their families. I just wanted to point out an option they could take.
Journalism 4.0, the name of this blog and the idea behind it, is dedicated to the dream of emancipating the farmers from poverty, and not simply increasing their incomes year after year. Their marketing should be by them, devoid of any middleman, and the returns always in their favor.
Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie is for farmer entrepreneurship; Journalism 4.0 supports that position. Entrepreneurship calls for the famers decreasing their production costs and increasing product returns. This should be guaranteed in any business arrangement with any manager and buyer.
Only by practicing full farm entrepreneurship will our farmers help themselves liberate themselves from the shackles of poverty!@517
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