Tabuk City, Kalinga - There is an expectation that the proposed PhP13.2 million ‘Banana Cardava Consolidation and Marketing enterprise’ turned over to its beneficiaries will soon boost income.
The enterprise was inaugurated and turned over to the Daram-Cudal Multipurpose Cooperative (DCMPC) on August 14, 2021, in Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga. With the facility, farmers hope they will be able not just to preserve the quality of bananas for trading but also to improve the banana business in Kalinga, which could generate a better income, particularly in Cudal.
According to the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), said enterprise subproject will provide the banana farmer-members an opportunity to avail of technical services, post-harvest facilities, tools, and equipment to address the high cost of hauling and handling of bananas.
In addition, a trading capital of P555, 000, a forward truck, and other materials such as crates, wash bins, plastic palettes, and fabricated dryers were also turned over to the cooperative.
The enterprise subproject implemented under DA-PRDP and the Provincial Government of Kalinga was 60% funded from the total investment cost from the World Bank loan proceeds, 20% from the DA, 20% from the provincial government of Kalinga. The DCMPC also gave 20% as their counterpart.
During the turnover ceremony, DCMPC manager Juliana Salibad shared the differences between corn and banana production expenses and income, saying that, unlike corn, bananas can be processed into ketchup and chips, the leaves and trunks could also be used as plates and wrappers.
“Ang proyektong ito ay napapanahon dahil ang buong kasapian ng DCMPC ay isang daang porsiyentong magsasaka ng mais, at dahil sa proyektong ito, lahat ng mga kasapi ng kooperatiba ay nagtanim na ng saging mula noong 2018,” Salibad expressed.
Provincial Governor Tubban, on the other hand, underscored that the turnover of the enterprise marks another milestone in the partnership of the DA, the PRDP, and the PLGU Kalinga in pursuit of agricultural development.
Tubban challenged the management of the cooperative to develop and sustain their enterprise to provide more benefits to their members.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan pointed out the significance of attaining food security– making food available, accessible to the market, stable price with safe handling and nutritional content.
“Kumpleto na po ang ibinigay sa inyo ng gobyerno at ang natitira nalang ay ang pagpatakbo nito ng maayos at tuloy-tuloy,” Cayanan said.
Kalinga Governor Ferdinand B. Tubban led the ceremony together with Congressman Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, DA-PRDP National Project Director Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan, DA-PRDP Project Support Office-North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director Danilo P. Daguio, Provincial Agriculturist, and Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) head Engr. Domingo A. Bakilan and other LGU officials and heads of offices.
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