LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Department of Agriculture Cordillera executive director Cameron Odsey said the farmer’s cooperative supposed to manage the multi-million Benguet Agri-Pino Trading Center (BAPTC) is not yet ready.
“The original concept is, it is supposed to be the farmers’ cooperative to manage, but at this point in time hindi pa sila nakahanda,” Odsey said on Wednesday.
He added BAPTC is currently managed by Benguet State University with Dr. Violeta Salda as chief of operations officer.
“It is supposed to be the farmers’ cooperative through a professional management, group,” Odsey added.
Odsey said management of the BAPTC will be turned over to a qualified farmers’ cooperative.
“Over the years, we have been urging them to organize. There are present cooperatives kaya lang maliliit,” Odsey added. “Ang problema, medyo mahirap. I think the reason is that maski sa ganitong sitwasyon, farmers still earn income if you compare the income of our vegetable farmers to our highland rice farmers.”
BAPTC sits on a five hectare land within BSU's strawberry fields eyed as a primary trading, tolling, and processing of highland vegetables.
Benguet remains the top producer of temperate highland vegetables supplying markets in Luzon including Metro Manila and as far as Visayas.