"Kayabang" Newsletter Design for Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center

KAYABANG

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

WHAT’S INSIDE

Capacitating Small Scale Farmers of Benguet

BAPTC Seeks Legal Assistance from BSU Modern Trading Center for Highland Farmers and Traders ACPC: PLEA Program for Farmers and Fisherfolks BAPTC Accreditation Loosen Up for Now

Panagyaman: Introducing the Benguet Highland Vegetables Festival The Making of Farm-Preneurs

The Department of Agriculture together with Agri- Business and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) and (JAEC) Japan Agricultural Exchange Council and Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) conducted a two day forum to the farmer’s cooperatives and organizations of Benguet. The activity was held at Margarita Hall, Supreme Hotel, Baguio City on May 28-29, 2019.

The forum was opened by Marlyn Cosalan the Expert Agriculturist of the DA-CAR. She introduced the objective of the activity which is to capacitate small scale vegetable and fruit farmers association through barangay/municipal food terminal.

On one hand, Octavio Ablos the Institutional Development and Extension Service Unit Officer of BAPTC introduced the participants from the different farmers’ organizations and cooperatives of Benguet together with the representatives of the Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative of Ifugao.

The groups Introduced are the Madaymen Good Agricultural Practitioners Association

of Kibungan (MGAPA), Lengaoan Indigenous Farmers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Buguias (LIFMPC), La Organica of La Trinidad, Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative of Ifugao, Bileng-Belis Farmers’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Kapangan, Topdac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMPC) of Atok, representatives from the food terminal of Bashoy and Lusod in Kabayan, Tambule Farmers’ Association of Balakbak, Sunnywood buyers from Mandaluyong City, Macascasa Farmers’ Association of Buguias and representatives from the Itogon Municipal Food Terminal.

CONTINUED at Page 6

“Good Farmer, Good Harvest, Enriching Farmers Lives” EDITORIAL BOARD NEWSLETTER SUPERVISOR

LUIS P. ULILA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADOLFO E. LABLABONG

WRITERS ADOLFO E. LABLABONG KIMBERLY LOBEDA GLYREL B. PALBERAS ANGELICA S. SAMBO

LAY-OUT ARTIST GLYREL B. PALBERAS

BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) was established through the earlier initiative of the Benguet Stste University (BSU), offering its research, extension and instruction expertise and the prime lot portion of the strawberry fields for thr establishment of modern postharvest facility to further develop the vegetable and root crop industry by enhancing linkages , transforming the vegetable market, and building markets on correct principles.

The concept involved six (6) stakeholders (DA, BSU, Province of Bengue, Benguet Congressional District, LGU- La Trinidad, and Federation of Farmers’ Organization) for various important rules to enhance the highland agricultural systems and serve as Advisory Board. It was supported by Board od Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 1941, s. 2010 and BOR Resolution No. 2359, s. 2015.

The BAPTC establishment was funded by the Department of Agriculture and is under the national Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) program through Special Order No. 369. It primarily caters the farmers, traders, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Its services are open to any entity engaged in vegetable trading. It serves as an alternative marketing outlet to which vegetable farmers can directly sell their produce at rationalized prices, thereby ensuring reasonable returns to the farmer-producers. Aside from trading semi-temperate crops, it is to openfor intertrading with other APTCs.

VISION Modernizing farmer’s access to global market

MISSION

CONTACT US or visit: +639087810397 (074) 423-3031 BAPTC Price BAPTC PMO benguetaptc@yahoo.com baptc2015@gmail.com

www.benguetaptc.com BSU Strawberry Fields, La Trinidad, Benguet

Building avenues for farmers and consumers to have better market access through participatory capability building and provision of innovative technologies and quality facilities

GOAL BAPTC as a Center of Excellence in trading, marketing and socio-economic enterprise for semi-temperate crops.

OBJECTIVES A multi-stakeholder approach to sustainable linkage of farmers to market.

The BAPTC is established to increase the farmers’ incomes and protect them from the effects of market price fluctuations.

CORE VALUES Integrity Honesty Transparency Commitment Cooperation

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KAYABANG BAPTC seeks legal assistance from BSU THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

On March 8, 2019 the Project Steering Board (PSB) approved the request of Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) to the Board of Regents (BOR) of Benguet State University (BSU) and to the Office of Legal Affairs to represent BAPTC on legal matters during the BAPTC-PSB 2019 First Quarterly Meeting held at the Third floor, Commercial Building, BAPTC.

The Legal Affairs Office of BSU through Attorney Allan Sacpa, Attorney II of BSU Legal Affairs required the BAPTC to make two resolutions on legal assistance and be further be checked and assessed by the Board of Regents of BSU as the governing board of the university and to the Project Steering Board of BAPTC . The two resolutions approved by the PSB are Resolution No. 02, series of 2019 entitled, Resolution requesting the Board of Regents of BSU to authorize its office of BSU Legal Affairs and Resolution No. 03, s. 2019 entitled, Resolution authorizing the BSU legal affairs.

The approval of the boards to the two resolutions from the BAPTC will allow and authorize the Legal Affairs Office of the University to render service to the trading center and represent them if problems and cases will be filed to the court.

Octavia Ablos the Institutional Development and Extension Service (IDES) Unit Officer of BAPTC said that the BAPTC request-

ed legal assistance mainly because BAPTC has no legal personality. Also, remembering that BAPTC is a donated property by the BSU from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2015, based on the Deed of Donation between BSU and DA, BAPTC is a socio-economic enterprise of BSU and thus needs further review of legal documents to determine the ownership of the center.

The said legal assistance aims to take legal actions on the issue in collecting rents of

“We focus on what we have and protct on hat we have.”

-Assec. Ariel Cayanan lessees. The Finance Division of the trading center reported incidents of late payments from some lessees and presented information on three lessees who did not pay their rents since the opening of the trading center. With some issues raised by the BAPTC and anticipated complaints from the lessees, Attorney Allan Sacpa gave few information on the actions that can be done by the trading center.

He said that demand letters can be issued to the lessees who can’t pay for their rents. Giving of time allowance is possible in encouraging the lessees to pay. If demand letters and deadlines for the lessees to pay for their rents will not be successful then filing a complaint to the court can be another remedy. With the power of the court to decide, the lessees can be fined or be vacated in their stalls or within the premises of the trading center.

Octavio Ablos is hoping that with the legal assistance they will be able to collect rents for now which is also a great help for the center to meet the target income for the year 2019. She also stated that through legal assistance, BAPTC will be able to have fund management and that the center can sue or be sued. This is their current disadvantage of not suing the lessees not paying their rents because of the lack of legal personality.

“Once the ownership of BAPTC is soon determined, the owner will continue legal assistance on legal matters,” added Ablos.

For the meantime, Attorney Sacpa said that their office is rendering legal advices for BAPTC especially on the said issue on unpaid rents. But also suggested that BAPTC can hire other lawyers to be funded by the partner, the Department of Agriculture. //KIMBERLY LOBEDA_BSU-INTERN

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KAYABANG

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

Modern Trading Center for Highland Farmers and Traders The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) established through the initiative of Benguet State University (BSU) offers modern post-harvest facility to the farmers, traders, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. It helps in the development of vegetable and root crop industry by enhancing linkages, transforming the vegetable market, and building markets on correct principles.

Support facilities, amenities and services are designed and provided for clients and customers in improving their market access and transactions.

The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) has three spot trading buildings labelled as STB one (1), two (2) and three (3). These are designated for vegetable packing and farmers, wholesale facilitators and trader’s negotiation.

Food courts and function halls are also located at the spot trading buildings. Two food courts with 200 m2 each in area are located at the second floor of spot trading buildings two (2) and three (3) while the function or conference hall with 200 m2 measurement is at spot trading building one (1).The cozy food courts offer affordable and delicious meals that farmers and traders can try while the spacious function hall at spot trading building one (1) is for meetings/ conferences.

If tired from work and wants to sleep over in the center, the guestel is just a few meters away from the Spot Trading Buildings. The guestel at the second floor of the commercial building with 18 rooms is open to farmers, visitors and tourists who wander around the valley of La Trinidad.

The rooms on the second floor can accommodate 40 people while the open space on the third floor of the guestel is conducive for coffee and as function hall. The fee for a one night stay in the guestel is 350 pesos.

Moreover, the BAPTC has 12 cold stor-

age rooms and 10 dry storage rooms that can be utilized by farmers. Farmers and traders can store their vegetables and other products in these storage rooms that prolong the shelf lives of their produce.

Each room has an area of 50m2. A cold storage room can hold 28 tons of produce while a dry storage room can accommodate 32 tons of commodities. A 250 peso fee will be collected in every square meter usage of the facility.

Furthermore, the parking spaces at BAPTC can accommodate 300 to 400 vehicles such as truckers, farmer’s vehicles, and private cars at once. A one kilometer by-pass road in BAPTC serves as an additional parking space. The parking rate ranges from 100 to 250 pesos depending on the vehicle type and duration of stay in the trading center.

To ensure the safety of the people working in the center, the area is secured with 24/7 security guards and equipped with CCTVs. These facilities and amenities can be used and enjoyed by farmers, traders, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.

They can be of help in the better market access of farmers and consumers while generating livelihood opportunities for farmers, empowering farmers for strong bargaining positions and establishing a world-class food terminal.

Gina Cabading, Hilda Tanas and some other wholesalers said that BAPTC has given them clean and spacious environment. The place is suitable for their daily work. The fee for the space rent is not too high nor too low for them, thus, making them feel happy. On one side, the interviewees said that the low number of customers in the trading center can have an impact to their financial profit.

The enhancement of the highland agricultural systems in the trading center is being maintained by the six (6) stakeholders (DA, BSU, Province of Benguet, Benguet Congressional District, LGU-La Trinidad, and Federation of Farmers’ Organization) acting as the Advisory Board. //

ADOLPHE

LABLABONG_BSU-DDC-INTERN

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

KAYABANG

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ACPC:

PLEA Program for Farmers and Fisher Folks

In 1986, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) was created to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) in synchronizing all credit policies and programs. The ACPC also helps the government develop and implement strategies and policies that increase and sustain the flow of credit to agriculture and fisheries and support agriculture modernization, food security and alleviate poverty.

The ACPC became an attached agency of the DA in 1987 through Executive Order 116 that was mandated to administer the Comprehensive Agricultural Loan Fund.

The DA extended their loans to the 10 poorest provinces in the country that include, Apayao, Easter Samar, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao Del Norte, Cotabato, Sarangani and Maguindanao. Afterwards, Benguet and Mountain Province were included on the list.

In 2017, Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) started in Benguet. This program was designed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary and Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) headed by Emmanuel F. Pinol. It aims to address the financial needs of marginal and small farmers and fisherfolk

for a fast, convenient and affordable credit.

The PLEA program offers a non-collateral loans for agri fishery production through cooperative banks, cooperatives, farmers and fisherfolks organization and non-government organizations (NGO’s) as credit delivery conduits in extending loans to marginal and small farmers and fisherfolks.

The ACPC taps lending conduits in extending loans to marginal and small farmers and fisherfolks. The lending conduits must have a lending system and should be currently accredited or have been qualified under any existing partnership under ACPC lending programs and/or any of the following institution programs such as Landbanks, PCFC, AGFP, Cooperatives, Farmers organization and Non-government organization.

Those who want to avail of the program must be engaged in production of crops, poultry, and/or livestock, aquaculture or fishing activity and are classified as indigent. As per the government, poverty threshold must be registered or enrolled in the registry system for basic sectors in agriculture (RSBSA), and must pass the credit/background investigation of the lending conduits and have good credit stand-

ing. These lending conduits select, evaluate and approve and collect loans from borrowers under agreed guidelines with the ACPC. In Benguet, only 5 municipalities (Benguet, Buguias, Atok, Kabayan, La Trinidad and Bokod) availed to this program. These municipalities have existing conduits that help in the process of lending and borrowing money.

For Apayao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, approval of the program is still on process.

According to Kristle Ann S. Balingan, the PDO III-PMO eligible farmers/fisher folk borrowers can avail up to 50,000 to 150,000 depending on the agri-fishery production project to be financed.

The head of the house or the spouse or adult working member can avail of the loan with the interest rate of 6% per year.

Furthermore, farmers and fisherfolk can also borrow money under the Survival Recovery Assistance Program (SURE).

The program is given to agricultural households who are affected by calamities. The loan and emergency assistance package provide relief to the borrowers or beneficiaries. //ANGELICA S. SAMBO_BSU-DDC_INTERN

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KAYABANG

Capacitating ......

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

from page 1

Different topics were discussed in the two day forum. On the first day, Jimmy Lingayo the Manager and Farmer of Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative of Banaue, Ifugao shared his knowledge on the rice production and cost production of heirloom rice. Heirloom Rice is a native product of the Cordilleras. It is mainly found in the provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, Kalinga and some other provinces of Cordillera.

Speakers from BAPTC discussed the BAPTC concepts, accreditation processes, issues and concerns on the BAPTC operation and management and review plans and other concerns with the farmers and traders.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) from the Department of Agricultural was also discussed during the forum where in concerns regarding the use of pesticides and good practices in crop production are raised.

The JAEC group headed by MR. Koji Kaneda shared his knowledge on the Safe Vegetable Production and Marketing Technology Improvement Project in the Philippines. He compared the good practices of the Japanese farmers to the Filipino farmers in preserving the freshness of the vegetables in the market.

Moreover, groups from the Central Agri-business and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) who are based in Manila were invited to the forum. They shared their activities and market strategy to the participants.

One market concept shared is the TienDA, the “farmer’s market” concept version of the Department of Agriculture where farmers and fishers are given chance to sell their products directly to the consumers/buyers.

According to Marilou Saltico, a member of the Farm Forces of the Philippines and an organic farming group, the activity is a great avenue to learn about marketing products.

On the other hand, the event is educational, in a sense that the participants learn new techniques, in a sense that they found another venue for market and also the event challenged the farmers and the farmers’ associations to produce quality products according to Olivia Carantes a representative from the Barangay or Municipal Food Terminals Group.

Jocelyn Reyes, the representative of Joyful Garden Organic Association and from the buyers group stated that the program is a good opportunity for the buyers to help the producers sell their goods. The event is also a great way for farmers to raise their concerns and address their needs. //ANGELICA S. SAMBO_BSU-DDC-INTERN

BAPTC Accreditation Loosen Up For Now The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) grants recognition and permit to individual, associations or cooperatives to use the BAPTC facilities and amenities.

They accredit stakeholders to participate in the trading system managed by the Trading Operations Division (TOD) of BAPTC. Once accredited, the stakeholders can avail BAPTC trainings, participate in the consolidation and/or contract growing program offered by BAPTC, have linkage to Institutional buyers and other markets and be included in the BAPTC Incentive Programs.

As of the moment, the accreditation department loosens up their accreditation process to further collect information from the farmers and encourage them to be accredited.

Mildred Licangan, the Accreditation Officer of the Project Management Office (PMO) of BAPTC said that they use profiling in gathering the personal data of the stakeholders. This is an easier way of recording the transactions of farmers and buyers in the trading center.

Profiling means that the accreditation officer will just get the personal information of the individual without asking him or her to submit the requirements needed for the accreditation. This method will attract the clients to be easily a member of the trading center without giving him or her burden or headache in processing and submitting required documents.

Meanwhile, it was reported that there were only sixty-three new individual accredited clients and no new group applicants for accreditation in February 2019.

Mildred Licangan agreed that this may be due to the limited number of farmer groups and buyer groups. There are 140 farmer groups, 22 buyer/seller groups, eight groups of inter-trader, four transport groups and four packers and porter groups in their record. She added that these are the groups formed for now and were already accredited.

With this, the office decided to not strictly implement accreditation process so that they may be able to record more farmers who come to trade in the center.

One limitation that affected the accreditation for the stakeholders is the few numbers of vegetable transactions in the trading center.

The Trading Operations Division recorded 721 farmers, 126 out of 513 market facilitators, eight farmer groups, and 62 buyer stakeholders who have transactions in the month of February.

Mildred Licangan stated that the previous months may not be the harvest time for farmers so few expected farmers will transact and visit the trading operations division for profiling.

In order to encourage more farmers, traders and individuals to be accredited in the trading center, she suggested the office to produce more Information Education Campaign (IEC) materials.

On one hand, Octavia Ablos the Institutional Development and Extension Services (IDES) Unit officer said that the IEC production will soon resume since the Internal Operating Budget (IOB) of 2019 was approved already by the Project Steering Board.

The contents of the IEC materials to be produced will include the vision, mission, goals and objectives of BAPTC, its services, accreditation processes, programs and accomplishments. The IEC materials will showcase the programs of BAPTC to all its stakeholders.

Aside from conducting IEC’s at different barangays, the IDES Unit also facilitates trainings for capability building of accredited members.

These activities and actions being done by the office of BAPTC will attract and encourage farmers, traders, packers and other stakeholders to be accredited and be part of the day to day transactions that happen in the trading center. //KIMBERLY LOBEDA_BSU-DDC-INTERN

Benguet AgriPinoy Trading Center

ACCREDITATION SYSTEM What is BAPTC ACCREDITATION? BAPTC accreditation is an act of granting rcognition and permit to individuals and groups to utilize the BAPTC facilities and participate in trading systrm unde certain terms and conditions. Once accreditted, it is a non-transferrable privelege granted by BAPTC.

Privileges of being Accreditted

*Transact or be involved in the trading system being managed by the Trading Operation Division (TOD) *Participation in the consolidation and/or contract growing programs under the Contract Trading thru the Contract Growing and Consolidation Unit *Avail of BAPTC Free trainings and seminarworkshops (i.e. GAP, Food Safety) * Linkage to institutional buyers and other markets * Inclusion in BAPTC incentive programs

How to Get Accreditted?

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Secureand Fill-up Accreditation Form Attach Necessary Requirements Submit the Accreditaion Form and Attachments to the Trading Operations Unit

Accreditation Officer will review the submitted documents.

Proceed to the Information and Communication Technology Unit for ID Processing Present ID to the Accreditor for releasing

Visit us at the 2nd Floor of STB 1, Cubicle No. 4 and look for Mildred Licangan. You may also drop by the 1st floor of STB 2.

For more inquiries, call or text 0908-781-0397 or (074) 432-2029. Follow and like us on facebook. com/baptc.price

REQUIREMENTS: BUYER 1.Individual Trader/ Buyer a.Photocopy of Business Permit b.Photocopy of Audited Financial Statement for the past 2 years c.Photocopy of Government Issued IDs (2 copies) d.2 pieces 2x2 ID picture e.NBI or Police Clearance f.Accomplished Accreditation Form(s) 2.Association/ Cooperative/ Federation a.Photocopy of Business Permit b.Photocopy of BIR Registration, if applicable c.Photocopy of Audited Financial Statement for the past 2 years d.Photocopy of Updated CDA/ SEC/ DOLE Registration e.List of Officers including photocopy of

their IDs f.Master List of Members g.Board Resolution stating three (3) official representatives h.2 pieces 2x2 ID picture FARMER 1.Individual Farmer a.Baranggay Certification for Residency and occupation as farmer b.Accomplished Farmer’s Profile Form c.2 pieces 2x2 ID picture 2.Farmer’s Group a.Baranggay Certification of Good Standing b.Photocopy of BIR Registration,if any c.Photocopy of Audited Financial

Statement for the past 2 years d.Photocopy of updated CDA/SEC/ DOLE

Registration e.List of Officers f.Master List of Members g.Three (3) group representatives h.Photocopy of Government issued IDs (2

copies) per member MARKET FACILITATOR a.Photocopy of Business Permit b.Photocopy of government issued IDs (2 copies) c.2 pieces 2x2 ID picture d.NBI or Police clearance e.Accomplished Accreditation Form TRUCKER

a.Photocopy of Certificate and Official Registration of Vehicles b.Name of Truck Owner c.Name and copy of driver’s license of the authorized truck drivers d.2 pieces 2x2 ID picture e.NBI or Police clearance (for individual applicants and authorized representatives of the group) f.Photocopy of Business Permit (from place of origin) applicable only when applicant (individual/ group) engaged in business

BE BAPTC ACCREDITTED NOW!

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KAYABANG

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

PANAGYAMAN:

Introducing the Benguet Highland Vegetable Festival

Benguet has been hosting different festivals in its 13 municipalities. These include the Adivay Festival, Strawberry Festival, Coffee Festival, Bendiyan Festival and the Highland Vegetable Festival. The Adivay festival focuses on the rich and diverse culture of the people of Benguet. The Strawberry Festival celebrated by the locals of La Trinidad showcases the flavorful taste and attractive feature of strawberries that are commonly planted in the community. This time, giant strawberry shortcake is made and presented to the public. The Coffee Festival on one hand highlights not only the natural coffee produced by the farmers but also presents the progressing and growing coffee industry in the highlands. The Bendiyan Festival of Kabayan portrays the celebration of the people in the bountiful harvest they receive from Kabunyan. While the Highland Vegetable Festival which celebrates the vegetable industry is on progress of being introduced and known to the people of Benguet.

For years, the province of Benguet has been known for its vegetable industry producing more than 70 percent of semi-temperate crops in the local market. Thus, being deemed as the vegetable panorama of the

North and the Salad Bowl of the Philippines.

Since the province holds the record and bears the names, the Benguet highland vegetables festival should be anticipated.

On April 2018, the 12 organizations and associations of stakeholders within the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) planned to initiate the highland vegetables festival. The groups include the Baguio-Benguet- Urdaneta Truckers and Traders Association; Benguet Truckers and Traders Association; Cacadcadaan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Carrot Washers, Disposers, Buyers Association; Cordillera Trading Post Vegetables Traders’ Association; Cordillera Truckers Services Cooperative; Haight’s Farm Association; REPOWCA Vegetable Farmers’ Association; Trading Post BAPTC Transport Group; Sayote Group; Tawid Dagat; and Chicken Dung Dealer Group.

These 12 groups originally planned to have a thanksgiving celebration for their first year anniversary of membership in BAPTC. But what was planned to be simple thanksgiving ceremony was turned into a festival. The group thought that it would be a great idea if they were to host

a festival in order to encourage the others to join BAPTC. In addition, a vegetable festival was never celebrated even though the province has been the major producer of such commodities. Through contributions and donations from the stakeholders of BAPTC, the first celebration of the Benguet Highland Festival was pushed through.

The First Celebration of Benguet Highland Vegetable Festival In June 2018, the first Benguet Highland Vegetable Festival was celebrated at the BAPTC. Its theme, “Enriching Highland Vegetable through Camaraderie and Cooperation among Stakeholders” aims to promote Benguet’s vegetable industry. The invited guests were the Municipal-Local Government Unit, Provincial- Local Government Unit, Department of Agriculture, Benguet State University, the La Trinidad Trading Post and other concerned stakeholders.

The one day activity participated by farmers and other stakeholders highlighted the search for the heaviest and biggest vegetable in the province.

The event became an eye-opener especially to the leaders of the municipality and

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

KAYABANG

the province. For years, the province of Benguet has played a major role in the vegetable industry of the country. With this, the initiative of conducting the first Benguet Highland Vegetable Festival opened new opportunities and became an avenue of raising the concerns regarding the vegetable industry. The event became a set off for the legislators to craft an ordinance for the highland vegetable festival.

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The Crafting of an Ordinance Celebrating the first highland vegetable festival caught the interest and support of both the municipal and provincial local government units. With that, an ordinance is currently being crafted for the province-wide celebration of the Benguet Highland Vegetable Festival.

The proposed ordinance not only covers the celebration but also gives emphasis to the promotion and development in the vegetable industry of the province. It is stated in the ordinance that the festival will secure the province’s status as a major highland vegetable producer in the region. Furthermore, it is an agri-tourism event which can help boost the income of farmers and other stakeholders in the vegetable industry.

A public consultation on the ordinance was held on March 27, 2019 wherein stakeholders concerning the vegetable industry and legislators discussed and improvised the proposed ordinance. Another public hearing will be conducted on April 4, 2019 for its finalization. Though the ordinance is on-going, the celebration of second highland vegetable festival is to be anticipated.

A

Celebration to be Anticipated The Highland Vegetable Festival Stakeholders’ Association, an organization formed by the 12 initiating groups, together with Hon. Namoro continues the planning of the second Highland Vegetable Festival. The celebration is scheduled on the last week of April which will be held at the Benguet AgriPinoy Trading Center, Strawberry Fields.

Various activities were prepared by the committee in which the much awaited heaviest and biggest vegetable will be featured. Contests such as vegetable packing and vegetable fun run will also be done.

It is high-time that the province of Benguet celebrates the industry that gives life to the community.

Celebrating is thanksgiving. A thanksgiving for the year round of bountiful harvest and continuous growth of the vegetable industry. //GLYREL B. PALBERAS_BSU-DDC -INTERN

FACT ABOUT BAPTC The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) is considered to be the biggest and most modern vegetable trading facility in the country.

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KAYABANG

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BENGUET AGRI-PINOY TRADING CENTER

The Making of

Farm-Preneurs

Most of local farmers of Benguet depend on the middlemen to do the marketing function for them. The intervention of the middlemen has played a big role in the trading system of the products of the locale. Also, making the trading system lengthy in process and costly in production.

Initially, the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) is implementing the Safe Vegetable and Product Management Technology Project, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera Administrative Region Field Office (DA-CARFO); Provincial Local Government of Benguet (PLGU-Benguet) ; Local Government (LGU) of Buguias, Kibungan and La Trinindad; Benguet State University (BSU) and Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC). Within this project is a study on capacitating small scale farmer’s association through barangay or municipal food terminals (BFTs/ MFTs) and agripinoy trading centers profiling and planning workshop. Through series of trainings and seminars, the farmers are prepared and educated to become farm-preneurs.

Farm- preneurs refers to farmer-entrepreneurs wherein the farmers will not only be producing the crops but they will also be marketing it. The project aims to establish an effective production-marketing system for the farmers, thus, linking the farmers directly to the institutional buyers. The farmers or the farmer’s association directly supply their produce to the end consumers lessening the market layer

and target consumer is already identified.

An advantage of this is implementing the farmer’s market concept wherein buyers can directly interact with the producers.

On the other hand, the institutional buyers can set their standards with the farmers once they have a deal through market linkages and are able to access these products in a lower price The project is to empower and challenge farmers’ associations to supply quality produce. With that, standards and quality control is done to reach certain qualifications set by the buyer. Through market linkages, both the farmers and buyers come to an agreement. The price for the farmer’s produce can be set, thus, the farmer already know the amount of money that he or she is going to gain. The products that are being supplied by the farmers are secured knowing that there are buyers waiting for the products. Unlike in the trading system that we are used to wherein the farmers have to gamble when it comes to their products’ price. With the involvement of middlemen, the prices of goods varies.

The study on capacity building is an empowerment program wherein farmers’ associations learn the marketing function in the trading system. In that way, they can be able to do direct negotiations and market their products. In that way, farmers are not merely farmers but they are also entrepreneurs. Thus making them farm-preneurs. // GLYREL B. PALBERAS_BSU-DDC_INTERN