BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government recently opened the P500,000 Organic Farmers Trading Center along the national highway here to boost production and promotion of organic products.
Alexander Domingo, provincial agriculturist, said the OFTC, located along the national highway here will serve as one-stop-shop among consumers patronizing organically-produced vegetables, fruits, poultry and pork.
“This project will serve as the major drop point for organically-produced vegetables, fruits and meat. In this way, the products of farmers will be further promoted and can be easily accessed by buyers,” he said.
The OFTC will be managed by the Vizcaya Fresh Organic Advocates Inc., a group of organic farmers supported by Japan’s Global Links Management Institute, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and other farmer and environment-based organizations.
Domingo said farmers practicing organic farming in the province are now gaining success and promotion with the exposure of their products and model farms through the monthly conduct of Farmers Market Day in various municipalities supported by the local government units and other trade fairs organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the provincial government.
In May 2012, the Japanese government donated P21.3 million to boost the production of organic products in the province by more than 100 farmers in barangays Pingkian and Tidang in Kayapa town, barangays Bacneng and Sinapaoan in Sta. Fe town, Macalong and Antutot in Kasibu town and barangays Canabay and Carolotan in Dupax del Sur town.
The fund will also be used in establishing new marketing channels other than middlemen; production of high profit vegetables and fruits using sustainable farming technologies; capacity building and knowledge development of producers in marketing of organic and reduced-chemical produce; involvement of local governments and partners in consolidation of the production environment; and dissemination of techniques and knowledge to other producers in the area.
The fund is part of Japan’s financial assistance through Japanese NGOs in the Philippines amounting to P204 million as of April 2012.
The fund was released under the Livelihood Improvement Project for upland farmers by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through grant assistance for Japanese NGO projects.
According to Domingo, farmers practicing organic farming in the province are now gaining success and promotion with the exposure of their products and model farms through the monthly conduct of Farmers Market Day in various municipalities supported by the local government unit, PRRM, Japanese government and non-government organizations.
VFOAI products ranges from root crops which are peanuts, Yacon, Gallang, Tuge, Ube and camote; and salad products such as Japanese cucumber, carrots, red and white radish, tomato, and lettuce varieties, among others.
The OFTC was funded by the DA with the lot counterpart by the provincial government.
