The Beckes-Bulala-Talete Ube Farmers Association (BBTUFA) in Sablan, Benguet can now fully operate their enterprise subproject on ube production and marketing after it was formally turned over to them last Feb. 10.
Members and officers of the BBTUFA convened to celebrate the completion and turnover of their enterprise subproject under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).
They also received the mini warehouse funded under the DA-Cordillera Rice Program.
Officials of Sablan and representatives from the DA and the Good Shepherd, among others, were present during the turnover ceremony.
Sablan Mayor Alfredo B. Dacumos, Jr. acknowledged the efforts of the BBTUFA to acquire interventions from the national government to help their fellow farmers.
“Let us protect and take good care of these projects. At the same time, we will help our local farmers with other ways and means to development agriculture in Sablan,” the mayor said.
DA-PRDP Regional I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray gave a brief overview of the BBTUFA’s enterprise subproject and challenged the association to look back into their business plan and operate it to fulfill the objectives of their enterprise.
BBTUFA President Myrcita C. Basilio expressed her gratitude to the DA-PRDP and to the members who helped them complete their projects.
“We are happy to receive these interventions. We are challenged by the thrust of PRDP and we will to our best to comply with all the requirements to manage the interventions. We also thank all who supported us,” Basilio said.
The BBTUFA members committed to take good care of the interventions they received so that it can also be passed on to the next generations to come.
For the operation of their enterprise, the BBTUFA received 20 units hole digger, 20 units knapsack sprayer, 20 rolls tie wire, 20 units dig bar, seven units collapsible tent, 150 pieces crates, four units shredders, 20 woven basket (kayabang), weighing scale, 20 units batulang/gamata, ubi sets worth P724,500 and a working capital of P268,960.
With the additional goods to support their ube enterprise, Basilio now looks forward for increased productivity and that more ube farmers will be served through the enterprise. – Elvy T. Estacio