FILIPINO farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs are urged to look into establishing processing plants in a bid to improve the vegetable industry in the country, said an executive of a research firm said.
"We need a thorough study, point per point kung gaano kalaki ang opportunity na meron ang bansa natin to come up with manufacturing plants para makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka at mga agricultural entrepreneurs," Yovel East Research and Development Inc. president James P. Amparo said during the 17th National Vegetable Congress on Friday, August 24, 2018, at Davao Convention Center.
(We need a thorough study, point per point on how big the opportunity is for our country to come up with manufacturing plants to help our farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.)
Amparo said some Asean countries like Vietnam and Thailand produces vegetables that are cheaper than those in the Philippines because of the establishment of vast processing facilities in their countries.
"For example, ang presyo ng luya sa bansa natin ay umaabot ng P70 per kilogram (kg) pero if you go to China, ang presyo nasa P15kg kung ikokonvert mo na. Kaya mahirap rin makipagkompete sa presyo nila (For example, the price of ginger in the country reaches an amount of P70/kg, but if you go to China, the price amounts at P15/kg if you'd convert it)," Amparo said.
Amparo added during his speech that vegetable growers in the Philippines must somehow model with Thailand's numerous processing plants.
"Dun ang mga Thai farmers sigurado sila na may bibili sa kanilang mga gulay dahil maraming mga processing plants (There Thai farmers are sure that someone will buy their produce because of the numerous processing plants)," Amparo said.
He added in this way, if Filipino farmers would imitate the buying process in Thailand, then it would secure Filipino farmers in earning from planting vegetables and getting repaid for their hardwork.
In order to achieve this, Amparo underscored the importance of having a feasibility to generate enough information for the future possibility of establishing processing plants for vegetable producers.
"To the agricultural cooperatives out there, I suggest na maganda rin na kumuha kayo ng consultants ninyo para makatulong sa pagpaplano kung saan mapupunta pera ninyo (To the agricultural cooperatives out there, I suggest that it be good to hire consultants in order to help plan out where your money should go)," Amparo said.
With the rich vegetable industry this country has, Amparao said if there are facilities, then maybe it is time for us now to turn the tables for the Philippines be the one exporting vegetables to the world.