The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) commitment to helping farmers diversify crops in a bid to increase their income closely mirrors Taiwan’s agricultural approach, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.
Laurel recently visited the demonstration farm of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Tarlac, which serves as a regional hub for agricultural training, research, and extension services.
The TTM farm, funded under the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), equips farmers, agricultural officers, and students with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills related to the latest developments in the industry.
In a statement, Laurel noted that TTM’s strategies “aligns perfectly” with the DA’s goals.
“Taiwan’s approach to managing pests, typhoons, and flooding is exactly what the DA wants to foster, helping farmers diversify their crops and increase their income,” he said.
The DA and TTM are currently collaborating on the agri-cluster consolidation and cooperation (ACCC) project, which assists cooperatives through farm inputs, seedlings, and facilities.
Under this, TTM will help farmers establish market linkages with suppliers to guarantee stable demand and profitability.
The project also introduces a high-value crop production model that aims to enhance agricultural resilience and disaster reduction systems.
A major beneficiary of the ACCC project is the Tarlac-based Sembrano Climate Resilient Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (SCRFAC).
SCRFAC consists of 140 members cultivating 134 hectares (ha) for rice production and 60 ha for onion production in Gerona town, Tarlac.
“Recognizing the potential of SCRFAC, the DA has provided the cooperative with a cold storage facility for onions under the high-value crop development program, as well as a warehouse with a mechanical dryer under the rice program,” said Laurel.
“These facilities will serve as postharvest storage for their rice and onion produce, ensuring better preservation, enhancing crop quality, and empowering farmers,” he added.
In December last year, SCRFAC was certified under the Philippine Good Agricultural Practice (PhilGAP) for rice and vegetable production.
This certification ensures that the cooperative’s crops are approved for food consumption while also promoting environmental protection and safeguarding farmers’ health and safety.
According to the DA, the ACCC project seeks to diversify Filipino farmers from rice production into vegetable farming by introducing crop rotation into their system.
It noted that this would allow farmers to improve their cash flow. For instance, farmers can generate an additional ₱200,000 per four-month production cycle by cultivating tomatoes on a 1,000-square-meter plot or earn an extra ₱80,000 per eight-month cycle by growing chili peppers.