Benguet farmers to expand export of fresh vegetables

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- Benguet farmers and other farmer associations along the Halsema Highway in the Cordillera highlands who have a daily aggregate of more than 200,000 tons of fresh vegetables are ready to expand their export opportunities.

Gov. Nestor Fongwan said after the farmers' success in producing world-class organic broccoli that is being exported to Japan since last year, "we are likewise trying to do the same in South Korea."

For over a decade, many agricultural infrastructures helped in making the vegetable industry a multi-million peso livelihood for the locals, most of whom have been trained on scientific agriculture in Japan and the Benguet State University.

Fongwan said the sustainability of the industry could be further enhanced with the introduction of more post-harvest facilities especially during the rainy season which would greatly decrease spoilage of the fresh commodities.

He observed that the on-going expansion of the vegetable trading post which was started last year by this present administration will be a big help to the expansion goals of the local farmer associations.

In the meantime, he assured that the Benguet farmers through the extensive use of greenhouses and similar facilities are committed to keep the flow of steady supply of vegetables to buyers especially in Metro Manila in order to keep prices steady even during this rainy season.