DA-PRDP turns over P12.41-M potato biz in Mountain Province

By Elvy T. Estacio

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- -- The P12.41 million Potato Tuber Production and Marketing Enterprise implemented under the Dept. of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and
municipal government here was turned over to Sadsadan Association of Vegetable Producers, Inc. (SAVPI) Nov. 16.
    The enterprise was proposed to provide quality potato planting materials, and make it accessible to potato growers in Bauko and its neighboring potato-producing municipalities.
    As part of the enterprise, a storage facility and three greenhouse structures were constructed for production of potato tubers.
    A hauling truck was also turned over to the SAVPI to facilitate transport of their produce.
    The greenhouse structures were physically completed in the last quarter of 2019, while the construction of the storage facility was completed February 2020.
    Since then, the SAVPI started their enterprise operations.
    During the turnover ceremony, DA-CAR regional executive director Cameron P. Odsey cited importance of technology in producing quality planting materials.

“More farmers will benefit if you produce your own planting materials instead of importing them,” Odsey said.

The director added farmers should strengthen their association, and use production facilities and delivery truck provided by the DA-PRDP to develop their business.

Bauko Mayor Abraham B. Akilit urged SAVPI officers to maximize use of the facilities and truck in accordance to their responsibility of maintaining it.

“Adi yo bukudan di technology, i-share yo ti daduma nga farmers tapnu ad-adu ti makinabang (do not keep the technology to yourselves, share it to others so that more farmers will benefit),” Aklit said.

SAVPI chair Teresita Gaocen expressed her gratitude to DA-PRDP and to the LGU for the project.

She thanked association members for their unity and coordination in the operation of their enterprise.

“Let us continue to work together for our enterprise to prosper. Now that it is finally and officially turned over to us, our duty now is to continue to manage and sustain it,” Gaocen said.