A farmers’ organization in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat has received a newly renovated processing building, complete with equipment and packaging materials from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in a bid to boost the agricultural production and income of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
The fully-equipped processing facility, which costs around P350,000, was turned over to the United Highlander Farmers Producers Cooperative (UHFPC).
The project was carried out as part of the organization's Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, according to Mary Jane Aguilar, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II.
“The VLFED enables the ARBs to produce market-competitive products through value addition by providing them with appropriate facilities and equipment for their products to become more competitive, increase their profits and strengthen their organization,” she said.
Although coffee is UHFPC's primary product, the DAR said it also saw a chance for tablea to grow in market share. Tablea are roasted, ground and molded pure processed cacao beans, used for chocolate drink.
Ma. Corazon Estandarte, chairperson of UHFPC, expressed her appreciation to the agrarian reform department for the project.
“We would like to thank the DAR-Sultan Kudarat for always being supportive and assisting us in terms of providing what we need so we could have additional income to provide for our family,” she said.
Estandarte thanked the DAR for the project and assured the agency of their full commitment and dedication to sustain it.
“We would like to thank the DAR-Sultan Kudarat for always being supportive and assisting us in terms of providing what we need so we could have additional income to provide for our family,” she said.
Mary Jane Aguilar, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, said the project was implemented under the Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project of the agency.
“The VLFED enables the ARBs to produce market-competitive products through value addition by providing them with appropriate facilities and equipment for their products to become more competitive, increase their profits and strengthen their organization,” she said.
Meanwhile, the municipal agrarian reform program officer and the municipal cooperative development officer reminded UHFPC members of their responsibilities to sustain and maintain the facilities for the organization's benefit.