THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is eyeing more villages for the expansion of Oolong plantation following the construction of Oolong tea processing center in Kalagonoy, Gingoog City.
Governor Yevgeny Emano led the groundbreaking of the P3.5 million facility Wednesday, March 27. The center is expected to be completed in six months.
The Department of Trade and Industry also committed to shoulder the machinery worth P1 million including the necessary training and packaging.
Emano said the processing center will help Oolong growers and farmers maximize their production and generate more income.
He urged farmers to work hard and grow more Oolong plants to fit the capacity of the facility as he vowed to support farmers and cooperatives.
“We are allotting funds to support farmers,” Emano said.
Emano also assured farmers that Oolong industry will have a market, even as he said it will boost economic activity in the province especially in Gingoog City.
“Sa karon gakulangon na ang atong Oolong tea kay sa farmers market pa lang ug sa Chinese community kulang na, busa giaghat nato ang mga farmers to plant more kay sayang ang facility kung walay i-process,” Emano said.
(At the moment, we lack Oolang tea that is why we encourage the farmers to plant more Oolong tea because we have the facility and it is such a waste if we won’t use it.)
Emano added the Capitol will not receive anything from the farmers as they will solely enjoy their income and profit.
The Capitol’s top official said seedling propagation is continuing as it planned to expand the current three hectares Oolong plantation in Barangay Kalagonoy.
“Walay undang. Sige pa ta padaghan sa seedlings ug gihangyo nato ang mga farmers nga magtanom bisan diha sa perimeter sa ilang balay,” he added.
(We’re not stopping. We keep on planting seedlings and I encourage the farmers to plant more even in their respective backyards.)
Provincial agriculturist Apollo Pacamalan said Capitol officials are looking forward that every household will earn at least P10 per month.
He said with the processing center to rise soon, production of Oolong tea will become faster and efficient.
Pacamalan also said they are now looking into the neighboring villages and towns, which are elevated, for the expansion of Oolong plantation.
Capitol officials are asking the recipient cooperative to take good care of the facility so it can still be utilized until the next generation.