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Saturday, December 06, 2003
Veggie farmers in SM need P22M for cold chain system
By Christie Enriquez-Uayan
A COLD chain system that costs P22 million may place the region's vegetable industry on the map, said Vegetable Industry Council of Southern Mindanao (VicsMin) president Estrella Juson.
The industry players need more help from the government to improve the vegetable sector, she said.
"A cold chain system is what we need to help increase the quality and shelf life of our produce in the market. We need this, especially with our work towards exportation," Juson said.
She said the present shelf life of vegetables is six days, but with the cold chain system in place, Mindanao vegetable produce may remain fresh up to 20 days.
Juson said the P22 million cold chain system includes a cold storage, a reefer truck and van to transport the goods, and a packaging and sorting center to classify the vegetables based on quality and appearance.
To date, members of VicsMin are working with the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) and Live Corporation (Livecor) for the purchase of the system through a soft loan.
The P22 million soft loan, which will be provided by Livecor, will be payable in five years. The VicsMin chair said they have yet to talk with BPRE and Livecor officials for the complete terms.
Juson said a P2.8 million is already in place, but has not yet been handed over to the group pending a formal agreement.
Southern Mindanao has a total of 4,000 hectares of land planted with vegetables. It is capable of producing an average of 30,000 metric tons of produce for every harvest season.
Asparagus, brocolli, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, green peas, and sweet pepper are among the high value crops planted in the region.
(December 6, 2003 issue)
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