Cantipay farmers obtain shared facility from DTI

CEBU, Philippines - With high productivity becoming more crucial to the operation of local producers in Cebu province, the use of Shared Service Facilities has become a critical enabler of their businesses.

The high potential of the local residents to produce good products must be backed with production machines to give fine results in terms of cost, quality and productivity, DTI-7 Business Development Chief Elias Tecson said.

The Department of Trade and Industry-7 has entrusted another SSF project to the Cantipay Farmers Association in the town of Carmen of Cebu for technology upgrading of agri-based products there.

Tecson told The FREEMAN that the machines will make developments in the processing of agricultural products in the community level.

This is also a response to the demand of the local markets for value-added agri-products such as desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil and charcoal briquettes.

The SSF equipment, turned over yesterday to CFA, include: Desiccated Dryer Machine (P200,000/unit), De-shelling Machine (P40,000/unit), Coconut Meat Grinding Machine (P80,000/unit), 5 Carbonizing Drums (P12,500/unit), Briquetting Machine (P115,500/unit) and one warehouse and packaging center.

The cost of the acquisition of these machines is P498,000 and total project cost is P1.02 million.

With the help of the equipment, DTI expects the members to hike production capacity of 10 - 15 percent this year, enhanced skills in technology management and to create new distribution channels at the value chain level. 

The sources of income of the association, which was formed in 2006 and accredited by the Labor Department, are fishing and farming and their main crops are coconut and vegetables.

The DTI said the 150 CFA household members are expected to meet the demand of 2 tons of desiccated coconut and 500 kilograms of coconut charcoal to both domestic and international markets through the Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center, Inc.

The CFA made products will be supplied to SPFTC and to the mainstream market. This will eventually improve livelihood opportunities in the locality and increase the income of farmers, the trade official added.

Other markets include Fair Trade Shop for local market, bakeshops at the municipal area and restaurants or eateries selling grilled food -- for coconut charcoal.

Although fishing and farming are the main sources of livelihood of Carmen residents, weaving sinamay -- now considered as the town’s signature product -- is also becoming common. Sinamay can be made into different decorative products.

The main products of Carmen are corn, coconut and sugar. — (FREEMAN)