Strawberry farmers affected by APTC form cooperative

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Fifty-eight affected swamp strawberry farmers affected by Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) in the Salad Bowl of the Country recently organized themselves into a cooperative and asked the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera.

According to DA Regional Executive Director Marilyn Sta. Catalina, the Swamp Strawberry Farmers Cooperative was created for the affected strawberry famers making it easier for the group to acquire assistance from the agency. The farmers agreed to contribute P4,000 each for the capital build-up or stock share, while DA will be giving counterpart.

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The cooperative will help the affected farmers in sustaining their income, especially in starting a new farm, and it will help them in transacting business in getting financial assistance, Sta. Catalina said.

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is also helping the farmers in the newly created cooperative through seminars and training, while the Cooperative Bank of Benguet will provide loans, she said.

Sta. Catalina added the earth movement for the APTC project started this month and construction will start very soon.

The modern trading center, DA officials said, will include warehouses, cold storage, processing center, post harvest facilities, spot trading areas and commercial areas. (Joseph B. Zambrano)