Mindanao veggie farmers target Asian markets

Mindanao vegetable farmers are exploring the possibility of exporting their high-value crops to neighboring Asian markets.

The Northern Mindanao Vegetable Producers’ Association Inc. (Norminveggies), composed of about 40 small to medium-sized vegetable producers based in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, said they have the capability to go into the export market, given the proper support by the Department of Agriculture (DA)

Marcelino E. Remotigue, president of Norminveggies, said in yesterday’s launching of the organization’s first refeer van stationed at the Metromart Complex in Mandaluyong, that his group is prepared to undertake export activities.

"Our presence here today signals to our markets that we are a reliable supplier of quality vegetable produce and we can be competitive," said Remotigue, adding that some of the members have been talking to possible buyers in select Asian markets.

Norminveggies is the first beneficiary of the the Livelihoood Corporation’s (Livecor), an attached agency of the DA) Cold Chain Program (CHP) and is seen to reduce costs of transporting fresh produce, decrease post-harvest losses and allow delivery of better quality produce.

The CHP covers all required post-harvest handling facilities and appropriate practices required by a specific commodity in order to be as fresh when it reaches consumers.

The refeer van funded by Livecor, assures Metro Manila consumers of fresh farm producer which include lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, sweet peas, cooking tomatoes, salad tomatoes, sweet corn, bell pepper and strawberry.

Remotigue disclosed that Norminveggies will also be putting up its first Metro Manila vegetable depot, possibly next year when its operations have been fine-tuned.

"We have the capacity to supply Metro Manila with as much as 10 metric tons weekly, but we have to study the market carefully," said John Gaston, a leading member of Norminveggies.

Currently, Norminveggies supplies fresh vegetables to institutional buyers such as KFC, Simply Blue, Blue Dairy Corp. and other fast-food chains, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila.

Livecor Administrator Jojo Mitro said that the project of establishing a vegetable cold chain system will be expanded to include more vegetable farmer groups in Luzon, particularly the Benguet group.

"This is something that has been talked about for years but which we did in seven months. Very soon, the Benguet-Manila connection will also be established that can negate the need to import temperate and semi-temperate vegetables," Mitra said.

Remotigue said that as part of preparations to penetrate the export market, Norminveggies is presently beefing up its production through application of appropriate production techniques, and will complete the cold chain next year with the acquisition and installation of more pre-coolers, reefer vans and trucks, cold rooms.

He added that Norminveggies will also go into the production of value-added products and is now fine-tuning its systems in packaging, branding, processing and retail marketing.

"We want to have all these in place as we are looking at exporting to our Asian neighbors," said Remotigue.