Authors
ABSTRACT
There is a growing focus on shorter food supply chains to increase farmer income and conserve resources. The study assesses the marketing efficiency of selected marketing channels for cabbage and broccoli in Benguet. Findings indicate that farmers using shorter supply chains are more organized, trained, and operate on smaller, irrigated, owned lands while adhering to market outlet standards for variety, packaging, and classification. On marketing efficiency, the producers share is 64% for cabbage and 54% for broccoli in shorter channels, with price spreads of 60% and 46%, respectively higher than in channels involving trading posts. Lesser marketing expenses, stable prices, improved standards, and farmer empowerment are the significant advantages of farmers in the shorter channels, though limited volume remains a constraint. The study recommends sustaining the programs to organize farmers and direct marketing programs, with policymakers supporting initiatives like guaranteed pricing, crop programming, and fixed commission fees for market facilitators.
