By Anthony A. Araos
Recently, I was drawn to new equipment introduced to farmers in the countryside. It was truly uplifting to see how technology is used to help farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Last year, sick and tired of stories of rotten tomatoes being thrown at road sides in Tinoc, Ifugao, I wrote President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (who then concurrently headed the Department of Agriculture) to intercede for the provision of refrigerated vans to Ifugao. It conveyed a positive sentiment and also brought this matter to the agriculture department. My advocacy is supported by realities on the ground. Due to lack of cold storage facilities, farmers’ losses are huge. Vegetable spoilage is like having a very bad day. That is why there is so much pain and suffering all over the farming sector.
I’m always on the lookout for goodness to share. It reminds me to be grateful of the positive replies from the Office of the President and the DA. I understood that it would be important to wait for upcoming developments.
Farmers were amazed at what then PAENRO (Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office) chief Domingo Mariano did. His personnel recalled what he said: “I will exert my utmost for the plan’s realization.”
With impeccable reputation, Mariano wasted no time to accomplish the goal. All told, the Paenro post was given to him because he was best suited for this undeniably challenging job.
Tireless since he took the job, Mariano practically moved heaven and earth for the acquisition of these much-needed refrigerated vans.
Then the good news: two China-made refrigerated vans priced at PHP 3.4 million each were bought in from Santiago City, Isabela sometime in March of 2024. From another place, the vans were moved at a site within the new Ifugao hospital. In short, parked there oddly and idly for nearly four months.
So I was surprised when told of this development. Parked at the said site, seemed strange, given that there was a big request by farmers to avail of such services. The refrigerated vans are operated by the Ifugao provincial government.
Now with the occurrence of severe weather conditions as witnessed with typhoons Leon, Kristina, Marce and Pepito, there is a better understanding of the need for cold storage facilities as these ones. Farmers have been worst hit by the ongoing turbulent weather situations.
I can’t fathom how hard this must have been to the farmers. I agree with the perfectly sensible Mr. Mariano’s assertion that the utilization of those refrigerated vans now go way beyond the logic of the huge costs involved especially with the high inflation rates.
The project is proof that improving market linkages is well underway. To my mind, these refrigerated vans are a source of joy and hope for the farmers. It also raises the competitiveness of farmers. Purchase of farmers’ produce directly relates to the effort to uplift the lives of poor peasants.
No matter what the national government is doing to help soil tillers- for instance, the PhilCenter for Postharvest and Mechanization is doubling efforts for the procurement of vital equipment. This development only enhances the move to usher in significant economic benefits to farmers and the province.
The provincial government should give priority to urgent issues in the agriculture sector. The task is rather very clear. Act now to improve the conditions of farmers by transforming their crops into more profitable and market-oriented products The growth of the farming sector can surely help create a more resilient economy in the province, an economy whose primary industry is agriculture. For some reason, certain quarters are ignoring the fact that it is already bad enough that farmers are already feeling the effects of the high costs of living.
I found it very hard to believe that the agriculture sector has to take a backseat in a poor province like Ifugao. The farmers don’t deserve to suffer. They deserve something special from the government.
A good way to get everybody on board requires a “break-in” of these vans to enable the driversto focus on the crucial task of ensuring their road worthiness.
Once the refrigerated van program gets operational, the project is expected to help farmers in the two geographical districts of the province, or in the 11 towns.
For this reason, a green light for these vans signals a strategic move to help them achieve their goal of profitability. Enhancing the value of Ifugao produce starts here. It is a mark of “good business decisions,” made noticeable in the reflection of today’s fast-growing market trends. Here comes the encouragement to do things right. Utilizing said vans will help boost economic recovery and speed up modernization of Ifugao’s agriculture. Take my word for it!
Though growth and development seem quite challenging- even daunting, to say the least, it is possible with a passion for progress, burning love for our rice paddies and a good dose of common sense.
A commitment from incoming officials to building communities that enhance lives and connect people to progress, thus, making them more effective partners in the attainment of national goals is highly called for.**
