More support networks
This is a continuation of our last article about support networks for farmers. We want to emphasize the importance of comprehensive support networks before, during, and after farm production from multiple partners from local, national, and international government, civil society, and private sectors, including volunteers and students.
Farmers are not the only beneficiaries of their farm produce. Many other sectors are supported in their livelihood and income from farm-related products and activities. In our last article, we mentioned how the tourism industry helps the farmers. In return, because the farms are added attractions for tourists, then farmers are also able to support all those involved in farm or agriculture-related tourism.
Additional products have been produced from the main farm products as well. For example, from grapes, a wide variety of wine has been tested, mass produced, and sold as attractive souvenirs for tourists or as regular drink within the local communities where the grapes are raised and harvested.
Aside from wine, various types of sweets have also been produced, wrapped in beautiful packages and again, distributed all throughout the shops in the grape-producing areas, including the often visited train stations and airports. Toy items related to grapes have been crafted for children, including candies and jelly from grapes. Lovely scarves and hankies and other items have also been produced for the ladies.
All these added-on items produced from or related to grapes and other fruits as well or any other main produce of the communities have generated additional income and livelihood for various other non-farm sectors and intended for all types of customers, the young and the old, the females and males, local and foreign as well!
The Yamanashii famous horse meat, for example, is sold raw to be eaten like sashimi or like our kinilaw. Packed raw horse meat has been properly readied for takeout, complete with ice packs, for those who wish to enjoy this sashimi treat at their homes while drinking the grape wine from Yamanashi. Horse meat has also been prepared in smoked form (like smoked salami or tapa).
All out support for those who can add on value to main farm produce is very vital to sustain not only the farmers but all else in the community!
Back in our country, we have similar examples locally showing the network of support from farms to other communities. Mangoes are sold raw or processed as dried mango. There is mango juice and mango jam. Mango picking tours may be encouraged with the help of the Department of Tourism. DOST may be able to find more uses for mango peels or the center part of mangoes? Academicians may also support by sharing research that enhance the organic development of local varieties of mangoes, other fruits, and other agricultural produces of communities.!
Coconut also is known for its juice, delicious meat, and oil. Desiccated coconut, bukayo, and other delicacies have been on the market as well. The other parts of the coconut have also been used for other purposes. Still, more research may be able to tap further important findings and products related to coconuts and our other produce.
Media can play a very important role as well in promoting communities and their local products. The Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, and Trade and Industry as well can play expanded roles for helping to develop communities and local products and improving the lot of our rural population.
Production and distribution should be collaborative partnerships, with everyone genuinely sharing the benefits equally.
Tapping more of these comprehensive support networks at all levels, not just one community, may yet be an important creative model of community development much needed in our country. A rethinking of past development practices may yet result in more effective systems that can see more dynamic, self-sufficient people and more developed and prosperous communities throughout our country!
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