Group warns of veggie 'cartels' as threat to farmers’ livelihoods

Community pantry initiator Ana Patricia Non on Wednesday said so-called vegetable cartels are posing threats to the livelihood of farmers who sell produce directly to community pantries at lower prices.

During a Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, Non outlined challenges faced by both community pantries and farmers, including risks to their income and safety.

“May time na bumibili kami ng gulay pero bawal naming i-post o i-advertise na direkta kaming bumibili sa farmers, kasi mino-monitor sila ng mga middlemen o traders," Non told lawmakers.

(There were times we bought vegetables but could not post or promote that we were buying directly from farmers because traders were monitoring them.)

"Kapag nakita nilang kumita ang farmers, babaratin nila ang presyo sa susunod na season,” she added.

(If they saw farmers earning from this, they would offer lower prices in the next season.)

These constitute the threats to the safety and security of farmers and organizers, she said.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Department of Agriculture for comment and will update this story once officials issue a response.

First launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns, community pantries have re-emerged to provide free food amid rising fuel prices.

Non recently organized a community pantry for drivers and riders in Maginhawa, Quezon City.

Aside from alleged cartels, she cited logistical challenges and government policies as hurdles, including the requirement to secure public solicitation permits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Sa ganitong panahon ng emergency, madali lang sana sa amin ang tumulong, pero nalilimitahan kami ng policies. Nahihirapan kaming gumalaw,” she said.

(During emergencies, it should be easy for us to help, but policies limit our movement.)

Non said these issues have long existed but have been highlighted by the ongoing oil crisis.

She stressed the need for long-term solutions, noting that cash aid or ayuda is only a temporary fix.

“Matagal na ang problema sa food supply natin. Mas na-highlight lang ngayon dahil sa oil crisis,” she said.

(The problems in our food supply have long existed and have only been highlighted by the oil crisis.)

“Ayusin natin ito for the long term, hindi ‘yung band-aid solution na ayuda lang,” she added.

(Let’s address this with long-term solutions, not just temporary aid.)—MCG, GMA News