Transportation costs will now be cheaper and market linkages will expand for the Manpat-a Farmer’s Association (FA) and Buguias-Japan Agricultural Trainees Association (BJATA) with the provision of two new hauling trucks with refrigerated vans from the Department of Agriculture Cordillera High-Value Crop Development Program (DA-CAR HVCDP).
Amounting to PHP4,986,000.00, the assistance is in line with the Post-Harvest Processing Logistics and Marketing Support of the OneDA Reform Agenda. It targets to improve the national agriculture logistics system in order to speed up and reduce transport and distribution costs from production to consumption areas, including export destinations.
“Dakkel iti maitulong na daytoy. Jay transportation cost ti nateng mi ket mapan ditoy lugan. At least han kami agbaybayad jay aghahakot ti nateng mi,” expressed Gaspar Paquito, BJATA President.
He continued that with lesser transportation costs, they can earn and save roughly about PHP 16,000 to PHP 56,000 monthly. Through this, they can at least support themselves to buy necessary agricultural equipment and inputs needed in the farm and not just simply depend on what the DA will give.
Basilio Ngaseo Jr., President of Manpat-a FA, added that this is one of the biggest assistance that they have received from DA. Aside from cheaper transportation costs, this will also help them to reach more markets not just within the region but also in nearby provinces like Isabela and Candon, Ilocos Sur.
These two associations are producing various highland vegetables such as potatoes, cabbages, beans, carrots, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, romaine lettuces, and tomatoes.
Looking back, BJATA started in the year 2013 with the purpose of sharing and applying their knowledge of best practices that they learned in Japan as most of the founding and majority members are ex-Japan trainees. Composed of 37 members, 15 members are Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-certified while 5 of them are undergoing assessment.
Meanwhile, with the aim to consolidate and produce quality vegetables through the help of GAP certification, Ngaseo along with other farmers in Balili, Mankayan had started Manpat-a FA in the year 2015. Maintaining a total of 59 members, the association continues to prosper and now has a total of 40 GAP certified farmers while there are 7 farmers undergoing the GAP assessment too. They now have the most GAP-certified farmers in the Cordillera and their number is expected to increase as others are still planning to go through the same certification.
The GAP Certification program ensures food safety and assures the quality of agricultural products while keeping high regard for environmental protection and that of farmers, workers, and consumers health, safety, and welfare. This is one of the factors why these two associations were chosen as the beneficiaries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the government and different industries by surprise, the agriculture sector is no different. Both Manpat-a FA and BJATA were also affected by the onslaught of the pandemic. With the non-stop restrictions and lockdown implemented in various areas, mobility was limited which greatly hindered commodity deliveries. A sudden price increase on agricultural inputs like seedlings and fertilizers was also felt. There is also lack of manpower due to the virus. All these factors had led to the decrease in their sales. Despite this, Ngaseo and Paquito held on and continued to lead their association during these challenging times.
“Jay ikasta mi tapno ma-overcome mi dagita a ket keep on planting ladta. No retreat, no surrender tapno ma-maintain ketdi jay kalidad ti nateng mi,” said Ngaseo.
He continued that he also keeps on encouraging other members to get GAP certification as this will ensure that the vegetables they are producing are safe and will help them grow their businesses.
Paquito seconded that aside from consistently doing their farm duties, they are also regularly conducting meetings to address concerns and discuss ways to widen their market. They have also been cooperative whenever there were seminars and training provided by DA.
Manpat-a and BJATA have both been receiving support and assistance from the Department even before the pandemic. Seeds storage, greenhouses, tractors, and agricultural inputs are among the assistance that they have received. They are also active participants of the KADIWA ni Ani at Kita Program where they are being provided with the transportation systems and market linkages. In fact, this is where Manpat-a had found one of its biggest markets in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
“Salamat idjay DA kangrunaan jay mangidadauluan ni Ma’am Joan Bacbac ken kadagiti ibabaen na. Kenni Director Odsey ken amin-amin ket agpaspasalamat ti Manpat-a FA ti tulong ken han nga maum-uma nga mangsubsubaybay ken mangit-ited iti intervention kendakami,” Ngaseo expressed.
To maintain the good condition of these trucks at all times, a new committee will be formed in each association. They will be responsible for managing the delivery schedule and recording all the expenses for maintenance. Both associations are looking into delivering goods twice a week particularly in the main trading areas in La Trinidad, Baguio, and Nueva Vizcaya.
With the prospect of market expansion, Paquito coaxed young farmers in Buguias to join the association and actively participate in their activities. “Pagsayaatan tayo daytoy, haan nga maymaysa lang. Nu mayat ti kasta tayo nga maki-cooperate, agtultuloy daytoy association. Pagtutulungan tayo ta maipakita tayo met jay nateng tayo nga safe.”
Moreover, Ngaseo is also imploring his members for their continued unity and those who are not GAP certified yet to get certified. They are committed to utilizing the truck properly to continuously reach out to agricultural buyers and consumers. According to him, this is also their way to show their appreciation to the DA by managing and maintaining what has been provided to them.
“Isu pagsarmingan ti sumar-saruno nga association ken kakadwami nga farmers ditoy ka-Benguetan,”he ended.**
