In the sloping terrain in the Municipality of Basilisa in the Dinagat Islands, a two-hectare pineapple production was wiped out, logging approximately ₱87,600 in losses. On Dec. 16, 2021, Typhoon Odette, internationally named Rai, struck the island province of Dinagat and brought extensive damages and losses to infrastructure, socio-economic sectors, and agriculture.
According to Fortunato M. Secusana, Chairperson of the Pineapple Growers Farmers Association, it was the strongest typhoon they experienced, battered by heavy rains and torrential winds.
Despite the destruction and complete loss of assets, the association members remained determined and resilient as they moved on and looked forward to rebuilding their lives.
As they rebuild and recover, in 2022, the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga High-Value Crops Development Program distributed pineapple suckers worth P525,000 for them to plant again.
“We are grateful to the DA, from the local to the regional offices, for the assistance that they have provided to us. Thank you for helping us start over in venturing into the business that we believe adds value to our product,” said Secusana.
After a year, the Pineapple Growers Farmers Association is reaping its first fruits from the QRF intervention and can start making pineapple wine again.
In 2019, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) trained the association to start pineapple wine processing. Value-adding provides a steady source of income and employment opportunities, especially in their community where jobs are scarce. Each bottle sells for P300.
Pineapple fruit costs P30 per kilogram; processed, a bottle of wine equals two kilograms of pineapple. A pineapple’s market value changes significantly when it goes through processing.
“Before, when we had the volume of harvested pineapples, we had difficulty looking for buyers. That is why we looked for ways, and we consulted the DTI to see if we could process pineapple wine. We were glad that they trained us,” Secusana said.
The association plans to establish a processing facility as it prepares for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accreditation.
No storm could stop the dedication of the Pineapple Growers Farmers Association as they worked hard to start over. They showed resilience and hope. They proved that with the right motivation and proper coordination with the government, it is possible to begin again.