Global demand for durian is rising, yet smallholder farmers in Mindanao—who produce 99% of national output—struggle to access high-value markets due to low productivity, fragmented supply chains, and weak enterprise support systems. This paper examines how Local Collectivization, supported by mentorship, technical convergence, and capacity-building, can empower farmers to scale production, improve quality, and enhance market integration. Drawing on field experiences from Davao City, including the formation of the Davao Mt. Apo Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (DAMAFACO), evidence shows that collectivized groups can achieve yields of 11.8 tons per hectare, surpassing national average. Key interventions include collective branding, shared post-harvest facilities, pooled quality control, and adoption of science-based land management practices. The study identifies structural barriers – small farm sizes, individualized production, limited access to market intelligence, and weak compliance with quality and safety standards—undermine farmers’ ability to access premium markets. With land consolidation constrained by legal and ownership issues, forming community-based collective production and enterprises emerges as the most practical pathway for scaling production volumes, pooling resources, and institutionalizing quality control. Local Collectivization and mentorship enable smallholder farmers to engage and leverage collective branding, shared logistics, pooled post-harvest services, improved negotiation power, and adoption of science-based farming practices. The paper recommends institutionalizing Local Collectivization and mentorship support systems, strengthening incentives, and integrating cross-sectoral convergence models to enhance enterprise readiness, market access, and climate resilience. Local collectivization and mentorship emerge as strategic pathways for empowering durian farmers towards inclusive, competitive, and sustainable sector development in Mindanao.