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Sunday, March 05, 2006
Veggie sector adds P18B to Benguet income
THE Benguet vegetable industry is contributing around P18 billion to the income of the province yearly.
According to Patricio Ananayo, chief of the Department of Agriculture-Marketing Assistance Division (DA-Amad), the amount covers not only the gross sales of agricultural producers but also the employment generated by the vegetable sector.
Ananayo said farmers are producing an average of 535,400 metric tons of vegetables a year, which is being hauled on a daily basis by about 100 to 120 delivery trucks bound for various parts of the country.
"The vegetable industry is not an ordinary industry because it contributes much to the province's economy," he said.
The Amad helps establish a market linkage for Benguet farmers for them to survive amidst the unabated vegetable smuggling and importation, which farmers claim have been greatly draining their income.
The agency has identified the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga as one potential market for farmers.
DA Regional Director Cesar Rodriquez said they are targeting to supply around 38,000 employees within Clark. "We will also encourage retailers to buy from the Clark Economic Zone," he said.
Rodriguez said the establishment of a market at the Clark would minimize expenses for farmers and would cheapen prices for consumers since it would eliminate the existence of many traders. (JC)
(March 5, 2006 issue)
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