Benguet farmers receive over P3M worth of agri machinery to boost production

La Trinidad, Benguet - High-value crop farmers in Benguet recently received over P3,000,000 worth of agricultural interventions from the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera to help them earn more income by increasing their yields.

Benguet, according the Department of Agriculture- Special Area for Agricultural Development, is the “leading” vegetable-producing province in the country, earning the title as “ Salad Bowl of the Philippines”.

The province, as cited by the agency, supplies much of Luzon’s cabbage, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and other high-value crops, which grow well because of the area’s cold climate and high elevation. 

Because of its rich vegetable industry, many people from outside the province also come to Benguet to work as farm gardeners and helpers. 

Thus, to further help farmers in the province further boost their production, the DA-CAR distributed the agricultural machinery and equipment to various Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) on November 24, 2025. 

In its press release dated November 25, the DA-CAR said the support is part of its High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), which supports vegetable and coffee farmers across the region through modern, technology-driven agricultural interventions. 

Among the FCA beneficiaries, according the agency, are the Madaymen Good Agricultural Practitioners Association (MGAPA) and the SADAW Rural Improvement Club, who received a freeze dryer each worth almost P2 million. 

The regional DA office said the dryer will help members of the FCAs preserve their vegetable as well as fruit produce longer. 

Other recipients are the Tabano Omang Livelihood Project Organization (TOLPO), which provided a coffee sorter worth P975,850 to help them improve the quality of their coffee beans.

The DA-CAR noted that Benguet is also known for producing Arabica coffee, which farmers continue to develop for local and national markets. 

Moreover, 10 other farmers’ groups were given P118,750 worth of grass cutters to help them maintain their farms more efficiently. 

In a statement, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan reminded the farmers’ groups to take good care of the equipment for long-term use and use it to improve their production. 

“This is a government investment. We hope you study how to use the machines well so you can reduce production costs and add value to your vegetables and fruits,” Dawayan was quoted as saying.