Carcar and Sibonga receive SSFs Local growers reap more from value-added goods

CEBU, Philippines - Adding value to agricultural products has allowed local producers in the province of Cebu to reap higher revenues as they take advantage of the current demand of their goods.

With the help of shared service facilities, Elias Tecson of the regional Department of Trade and Industry said agricultural growers in the province are not only able to supply raw materials, but they are also capable to process value-added goods now.

“Kaniadto man gud, tig-supply ra sila sa raw materials, karon sila na mobuhat sa semi-process with the help of the equipment,” Tecson said. “And that is added value sa ilang income.”

Value-added agriculture is converting of raw materials into finished or semi-finished products through packaging, processing, drying, extracting, cooling or any other process that changes a product’s raw form.

In an interview yesterday, Business Development Chief Tecson of DTI-7 noted value adding gives local producers opportunities for new markets and expanded marketing period.

He said the current demand of product niches both locally and globally is one reason for producers of agricultural goods to really boost production.

Giving them shared facilities is one good means to help them in their livelihood and business, he added.

Value-added agriculture normally serves domestic and international niche markets which allow small producers to create product value and improve their business. A niche market is part of a larger market where a specific product is focused.

The Trade Department in Cebu on Monday gave Carcar City and the town of Sibonga SSFs on technology upgrading of agri-based products.

Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa of Carcar and Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Balaas of Sibonga now have the capacity to manufacture semi-finished products that are supplied to Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center and the mainstream market.

The facilities include desiccated dryer machine (P220, 000 per unit), deshelling machine (P40, 000 per unit), grinding machines (P80, 000 per unit), carbonizing drum (P12, 500 per unit) and briquetting machine (P115, 500 per unit). Each association received P498, 000 worth of production equipment.

GBP is an association established in 2004 with 114 members whose main source of income is farming of coconuts and mangoes. It currently owns 60 coconut trees in Carcar City and produces an estimated 2,400 coconuts every year.   

On the other hand, the 4-year-old association Namaba of Sibonga town has 264 members who are living out of farming coconut, banana, corn and vegetables.

The chief shared value-added agricultural goods such as desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil and charcoal briquettes have a huge demand in USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and other nations. The two farmers associations produce the said products.

Currently, the agency’s SSF program is serving the agricultural production of local farmers.

The next shared facilities, Tecson said, would also support the dairy sector in Cebu, and the fishing industry in Bantayan Island specifically the dried fish production, among other emerging sectors. (FREEMAN)