Smallholder banana farmers in Kalinga are set to benefit from a P13.2 million banana cardava consolidation and marketing enterprise inaugurated and turned over to the Daram-Cudal Multipurpose Cooperative (DCMPC) on Aug. 14.
The enterprise subproject was implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the Provincial Government of Kalinga.
Funded in a cost sharing scheme, 60 percent of the total investment cost came from the World Bank loan proceeds, 20 percent from the DA, and 20 percent from the provincial government. The DCMPC shelled out another 20 percent as their counterpart.
As part of the enterprise, a P4.7M worth banana consolidation and trading center, a trading capital worth P555,000, a forward truck, and other goods/materials such as crates, wash bins, plastic palettes, and fabricated dryers, were also turned over to the cooperative.
Gov. Ferdinand B. Tubban said the turnover of the enterprise marks another milestone of the partnership of the DA, the PRDP, and the PLGU Kalinga in pursuit of agricultural development.
“The provincial government implemented and completed four farm-to-market road subprojects and three enterprise subprojects under the DA-PRDP in support to the coffee, heirloom rice, and banana industries, and the impact of these projects are now being felt by the communities benefited by the projects,” Tubban said.
He also congratulated the DCMPC for the enterprise subproject and challenged the management of the cooperative to develop and sustain the enterprise to provide more benefits to their members.
DA-PRDP National Project Director Usec. Ariel T. Cayanan also lauded the cooperative for sharing their analysis between corn and banana production, which led them to get a P13.20M worth subproject to aid their banana enterprise.
“Kumpleto na po ang ibinigay sa inyo ng gobyerno at ang natitira na lang ay ang pagpatakbo nito ng maayos at tuloy-tuloy,” Cayanan said.
He also commended the leadership of Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang and Tubban for having implemented and completed four FMRs amounting to more than P885M under the DA-PRDP, including several infrastructures in the pipeline amounting to P172M.
Cayanan stressed the significance of attaining food security – making food available, accessible to the market, stable price, and lastly, with safety handling and nutritional content, as he shared insights on the different programs implemented by the DA.
Through the enterprise subproject, members of the cooperative will be able to avail of technical services, post-harvest facilities, tools, and equipment to address the high cost of hauling and handling bananas and other related problems.
The turnover rites were led by Tubban, together with Mangaoang, Cayanan, DA-PRDP Project Support Office-North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes, DA-Cordillera Regional Technical Director Danilo P. Daguio, Provincial Agriculturist and Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit head Domingo A. Bakilan, and other LGU officials and heads of offices.
DCMPC manager Juliana Salibad shared the differen-ces between corn and banana production expenses and income, stressing that unlike corn, banana can be processed into ketchup and chips among others, and the leaves and trunks may also be used as plates and wrappers.
She said the interventions they received will greatly help the cooperative to improve and uplift the livelihood of its members. – Elvy Taquio Estacio
April 27, 2024
