Agri-Pinoy Trading Center seen to raise income in Cagayan Valley

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture recently launched an Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) in Roxas, Isabela as part of the department’s efforts to empower farmers nationwide.

The Roxas Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (RAPTC) is expected to increase the income of farmers by providing practical market for their produce, according to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

The trading center is mandated to source out and sell products directly from the farmers and agri-processors within the locality or in target catchment areas, hence increasing the profits of farmers as middlemen interventions are reduced. This, in turn, will provide consumers access to cheaper commodities.

The RAPTC is envisioned as a center of a farmer-led trading system where reasonable prices will optimize benefits for farmers, stabilize food prices and motivate farmers to produce more.

With three components, namely, Fruits and Vegetables Trading Center, Livestock Auction Market and “AA” Slaughter House, the RAPTC will not only serve farmers and traders in the Mallig Plains but also parts of Cagayan, Ifugao and Kalinga.

After five years, the project will be fully operated and managed by the farmers’ group or a municipal federation.

The Roxas APTC covers 2,797 square meters of land and costs P121.30 million.

Built through the counterpart fund scheme – the DA shouldered P80.57 million of the cost, or 66 percent, while the local government of Roxas contributed 34 percent, or P40.73 million.

“The RAPTC, like other trading centers already established and will be built in other parts of the country, will provide a ready market for farm goods and regulate the prevailing market system by reducing the layers of middlemen,” Alcala said.

Among the agricultural products to be traded at the Roxas APTC are fruits, vegetables and livestock.

The RAPTC was built in Roxas, being a leading producer of lowland vegetables and livestock and the center of commerce along the Mallig Plains region in Isabela.

It is estimated that the center will benefit about 11,000 vegetable farmers and livestock raisers, and create at least 60 job opportunities in the municipality alone.

Roxas, Isabela, is a 1st Class municipality composed of 26 barangays with a population of 60,744.

The municipality’s total land area is 18,480 hectares, 65 percent (12,022.84 hectares) of which is agricultural land planted to vegetables, rootcrops, legumes, condiments, fruits, tobacco, corn and rice.