San Miguel Foods yields 44% growth in cassava volumes

Cassava plants are also efficient at capturing carbon dioxide and storing this in their biomass and soil, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. | Photo from San Miguel Foods

San Miguel Foods’ regenerative agriculture program, also aimed at supporting local farmers, has yielded over 90,000 metric tons of cassava in the first half of the year, 44% higher than in the same period last year, boosting incomes for its extensive network of farmers nationwide.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said that the company’s Cassava Assemblers Program, ongoing for many years now and in place in more than half of all the provinces in the country, has steadily grown, resulting in higher yields.

“Through our Cassava Assemblers Program, we offer a guaranteed market with purchase agreements, a fixed floor price, and comprehensive technical assistance. We continue to engage with, and encourage farmers to organize themselves and form small businesses, to assemble a minimum of 20 hectares of cassava plantation,” Ang said.

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Ang explained that assemblers purchase produce directly from small farm holdings. This is particularly helpful for farmers with insufficient funds to pay for transport costs to sell their goods.

It also solves the problem of economies of scale in production, lowering the unit cost of harvesting or transport, to a point where it is profitable for both the farmer and the assembler.

For its part, San Miguel is assured a steady supply of an essential raw material.

“Our goal has always been to support farmers by harnessing the potential of cassava, a root crop that is ideally suited for cultivation in the Philippines. Due to its high carbohydrate and energy content, it is used as an alternative for traditional ingredients such as corn and wheat. Its byproduct, cassava pulp, may also be considered as another ingredient for animal feeds, highlighting the crop’s versatility in animal nutrition,” said Ang.

San Miguel Foods President Butch Alejo said that currently, the company has some 100 assemblers and thousands of farmers all over the country, planting and harvesting on some 45,000 hectares of land last year and this year.

“With this, we ensure not just reliable supply for our business, but we also provide good, steady income for farmers.”

Alejo said that beyond large-scale cassava production, the program significantly contributes to sustainable, regenerative agriculture, as it helps enhance soil health and contributes to climate mitigation.

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According to Alejo, cassava’s deep root system helps break up compacted soil, improves soil structure, and increases soil organic matter–enhancing overall soil health.

Its inclusion in crop rotations also diversifies plant species, reducing pest and disease pressures, while promoting beneficial soil microbes.

Cassava plants are also efficient at capturing carbon dioxide and storing this in their biomass and soil, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

“Cassava is a resilient crop that requires fewer chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides compared to others, reducing environmental pollution and supporting natural ecosystem processes,” explained Alejo.

“Its drought-tolerance and ability to thrive in marginal soils with low water availability make it vital for efficient water management, especially in areas facing water scarcity, he added.”