P40-M Vegetable Packaging, Processing Plant Soon to Rise in La Trinidad, Benguet

Photo Courtesy || DA-CAR

Cordillera - The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera has announced the construction of a P40 million vegetable packaging and processing facility that is set to operate by June next year. 

In the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Department of Agriculture Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-CAR Dr. William D. Dar said the objective of the facility would be to have a packaging innovation unit that would continue to promote and introduce packaging materials that are relevant. 

The facility will be used to pack and process unsold vegetables from farmers to prevent being wasted and dumped. 

DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey said that the facility will complement the DA-funded processing facility in Benguet State University (BSU) amounting to Php20 Million. 

The processing facility in the BAPTC will focus on the initial processing activities such as washing and trimming while the more complicated processing activities such as juicing is for the BSU processing facility to work on.

The processing aspect would focus on the ready-to-cook vegetables which are accordingly, common to Western countries.

Sec. Dar also announced that the way forward for the BAPTC is to become a corporation among the stakeholders who are presently members of the BAPTC Project Steering board.

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Thousands came out to buy fresh and affordable Cordilleran vegetable in QC.

Photo Courtesy || Jim Meer Libiran

Cordillera - Fresh vegetables from Benguet were on display at the Fresh Market at Quezon Memorial Circle today (March 7, 2020) and tomorrow (March 8, 2020). 

Vegetables came directly from farmers in Cordillera, so the price is much lower compared to vegetables sold in Supermarkets. 

Starting at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, buyers can buy fresh vegetables from Cordilleran farmers. 

Around 16 tons of vegetables were available at the Fresh Market with prices currently at P80 for a kilo of broccoli, P150 for kale, and P80 for spinach, according to a post by The Veggie Drop Off, which is a group of volunteers who organized the two day event. 

Photo Courtesy ||Jim Meer Libiran

On Saturday, thousands of buyers came out at the Fresh Market to buy cheap vegetables from the Cordilleran farmers.

Some buyers have become volunteers to help the farmers and organizers in conducting the smooth flow of selling vegetables.

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Abra farmer makes a fortune from vegetable farming

Photo Courtesy || Agribusiness YT

Cordillera - From being an insurance salesman turned to a very successful farmer, Arnel Molina has shown that with dedication and hardwork, anything is possible!

Arnel started out in being an salesman from an insurance company and later decided to quit so he can pursue his passion for the business in farming according to Agribusiness. 

He said that working as a salesman was also an advantage for him and his business because he learned so many things of how selling works. 

Quitting his job as a salesman turned into the starting point of his very successful business. From producing all kinds of produce, free range chickens, pigs and more, Arnel does not let a single go to waste but instead turns it to something he can use for his farm. 

Whenever the market is low for a certain kind of produce or is about to spoil, he usually uses it as a source of feed for his black pigs or chickens.

READ ALSO:  Young farmer from Buguias earns PHP54,000.00 a month planting cucumbers in greenhouse

Arnel was asked if he considers himself as successful as he is, he said "yes" and how he can provide for what his kids need or want, going out to eat without having to worry of how much he could pay, being able to buy a car, and more.

Arnel was also asked for some tips for those who are aspiring to be like him or planning to start their own business. He said that dedication and hard will get you where you want to be in your business. 

He said that you also need to study the "market" and have a plan for your business to become successful, and patience. 

Arnel said that patience is an important value to have because just like him, he patiently waited 3 months for his investments to pay back including the salaries he pays out to those who work for him. 

He treats and respect his workers just like his own brothers and sisters and give them bonuses. 

These are things that made Arnel who is now, a successful businessman.

source || agribusiness

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Honesty Store in La Trinidad Benguet now open

Photo Courtesy: Mayor's Office- La Trinidad FB

Benguet-  The first Honesty store in La Trinidad Benguet was opened on Wednesday during the La Trinidad Highland Vegetable Industry Week. The store will sell fresh organic agricultural products.

The Honesty store in Batanes wowed and informally educated every tourists who visited the place. This inspired the opening of  the La Trinidad Honesty store aiming to offer fresh and safe organic vegetables.

There are two chillers in the store to preserve and store vegetables to prolong shelf life and ensure freshness.

Supported by the La Trinidad employees' cooperative, La Organica, Organic vegetable farmers and the municipal government, you can find the Honesty Store in the municipality of La Trinidad which is open to all.

There will be a log book to record your purchases so you can leave your payments or get your change at the counter. For the members, it will be deducted in their payroll.

The Municipal Agriculturist, Filicitas Tecbaen said that once farmers bring their products, these will be registered to the cooperative so that consumers can easily buy the products 

From the name of  the store itself, this will promote honesty to all consumers who wish to purchase their organic vegetables in the Honesty Store. As there will be no one around to receive your payments,  the only policy in the store is honesty.  

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