western visayas profile - philippine center for ... visayas.pdf · part iii western visayas...

WESTERN

VISAYAS

POSTHARVEST

DEVELOPMENT

PLAN

ii

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

REGIONAL FIELD UNIT 06

Parola St., Iloilo City

BUREAU OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

FOREWORD

Agriculture has always been regarded as a vital component of the Philippine

economy. The enactment of Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), known as

RA 8435 has rationalized the greater importance of postharvest as a major component in

strengthening the agriculture sector.

Agriculture contributes more than one-third of Gross Regional Domestic Product of

the region. At current prices, the value of agricultural production in Western Visayas has

amounted to Php108.05 billion in 2008.

It is against this backdrop that the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension

(BPRE) formulated a nationwide postharvest development plan for agricultural development

through a bottom-up participatory and comprehensive planning process, with the province

and the region as the focal system. The regional postharvest development plan packages not

only the regional profile but also inventory and status of postharvest facilities, production of

the identified priority commodities, recommended postharvest interventions, and shop list of

capsule project proposals. It is a 10-year development plan that would propel socio-

economic development in Western Visayas.

The information included in this postharvest development plan is a result of a

collaborative project of BPRE, the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Unit VI and

the Provincial Governments of Western Visayas through their respective Offices of the

Provincial Agriculturist.

We hope that in the succeeding years, when all the projects of this development plan

are realized, the region will have better chance to be more competitive not only in the

country but in East Asia as well.

RICARDO L. CACHUELA LARRY P. NACIONALES

Executive Director Regional Executive Director

BPRE DA-RFU VI

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension in collaboration with the

Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 06 acknowledge the following institutions

that provided information on the inventory of postharvest facilities/agricultural data and the

regional profile of Western Visayas Region within their purview:

National Food Authority;

Department of Trade and Industry; and

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics

Appreciation is given to the following individuals and institutions that have shared

their time, expertise and active participation in the consultation workshops; and provided

invaluable information for this regional postharvest development plan:

All the provincial and regional commodity coordinators;

The provincial agriculturists/assistant provincial agriculturists;

Regional Agricultural Engineering Division;

State Universities and Colleges in the region;

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources VI; and

Philippine Rice Research Institute

Special appreciation is also given to the farmer leaders, and cooperative staff and

members who have shared their time during the Western Visayas Regional Postharvest

Development Consultation and Planning Workshop.

PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Western Visayas Region Postharvest Development Plan was formulated through

the collaboration of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension and the Department of

Agriculture Region VI.

The Western Visayas Region Postharvest Development Plan was designed to provide

a framework for the judicious distribution and allocation of agro-industrial interventions in

the form of postharvest infrastructure and facilities to boost the development and

modernization of agriculture. This plan serves as a reference for crafting postharvest projects

that are relevant to the Region. Also, this plan serves as a reference in sourcing funds to

implement postharvest projects.

This is a 10-year development plan that contains projects addressing the pressing

concerns of the agriculture sector with special focus on the postharvest component.

Incorporated also in this development plan are project strategies and financing options for

easy reference and guide for investors, both private institutions and local government units,

so that the proposed projects would be realized.

This plan was developed through a bottom-up participatory and comprehensive

planning process. A regional consultation workshop with farmer leaders, provincial

agriculturists, assistant provincial agriculturists, assistant provincial agriculturists, planning

officers, program coordinators, provincial agricultural and fishery council chairman,

provincial and regional commodity coordinators, members of farmers’ cooperatives,

representatives from State Universities and Colleges of the region, Department of

Agriculture-Regional Field Unit VI, non-government organizations, National Food

Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Rice Research

Institute, was conducted. Interventions were proposed to address the needs of the regional

priority commodities (rice, corn, high value commercial crops specifically mango, banana,

coffee, vegetables, cutflowers and cutfoliage, muscovado sugar and fisheries). From these

proposed interventions, specific projects on research and development, extension, training,

policy advocacy and support programs were crafted and validated among the stakeholders.

From among the proposed projects of the six provinces, a total of 18 were validated

and are included in this development plan. These projects include the establishment of:

modern rice processing complex; small-scale rice milling business; community-based grain

drying center; provincial rice seed processing centers ; medium scale mechanization service

center ; agricultural tramline system; corn postharvest processing & trading center; mango

agribusiness center; facilities service center for cashew-based products; village-level fish

processing center; seaweeds dehydration center; trading post and packing centers; and

retrofitting of under-utilized mechanical dryers with rice hull fed furnace; construction of the

Antique muscovado sugar postharvest service facility; farm mechanization of sugarcane

production in Central Antique to support the muscovado industry; enhancement of the

cutflower and cutfoliage processing center; provision of mobile ice makers; and

promotion/extension of HVCC postharvest technologies/systems.


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Regional and agricultural profile of the six Western Visayas provinces were

integrated and used as reference for the formulation of this postharvest development plan. A

regional inventory of existing postharvest facilities and equipment was recorded, updated and

validated on the field in collaboration with the DA-RFU VI. From this information, maps

were drawn indicating the approximate locations of different commodities and postharvest

facilities in the region.

Status of the postharvest facilities was analyzed in terms of utilization; sufficiency

levels or gaps were determined based capacities, volumes of production, losses and other

relevant parameters. Analysis showed a deficit in dryers and storage for both rice and corn,

shellers, and corn milling facilities. On the other hand, the region is more than sufficient in

threshers and rice mills.

Moreover, through this collaborative undertaking, the BPRE’s database on

postharvest facilities in the Western Visayas Region was updated. The status of postharvest

infrastructure has been mapped out providing useful decision-making tool for planners,

policy makers, and research development and extension agencies.


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INTRODUCTION

Until recently, agriculture’s postharvest concerns have been given little importance in

development efforts and investment. In the last decade, postharvest gained substantial

increase in investment and support both from the government and the private sector. One

major development in the agriculture and fishery sectors is the enactment into law of the

Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), otherwise known as RA 8435. This law

rationalized and afforded greater importance to postharvest as one of agriculture’s major

components. Moreover, a joint Memorandum Circular No. 11, series of 2004 was issued by

the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior Government (DILG)

directing DA and the Local Government Units (LGU) to immediately formulate a

development plan for postharvest and other engineering projects.

Research, development and extension efforts of various government agencies along

with numerous private organizations and individuals have been implemented with the aim of

improving the condition of the agriculture’s postharvest component. These efforts have

resulted to technologies that address specific concerns on harvesting, storing, processing,

marketing and other handling processes that agricultural crops undergo from the farm to

consumers’ table. A number of postharvest systems and technologies are now available for

use by the country’s farmers, fisherfolks and other sectors that handle agricultural

commodities. However, there is a need to identify the most suitable mix of technologies that

must be supported by a policy environment conducive in adopting these technologies for

more efficient, productive and profitable endeavor.

Thus, the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) in collaboration

with DA-Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs) spearheaded the crafting of Regional Postharvest

Development Plans. Specifically, BPRE and DA-RFU VI have collaborated to craft the

Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan. The plan aims to provide

direction for the development of the postharvest industry in Western Visayas for the next 10

years. The plan captures and incorporates the unique characteristics of the different

provinces in the region particularly their development concerns and priorities while also

taking into consideration the national directions, priorities and programs.

The Regional Postharvest Development Plan provides a more logical and rational

basis or framework for the identification, allocation and distribution of interventions in the

form of agro-industrial infrastructure and postharvest facilities. In addition, this plan serves

as a reference and provides a shopping list of projects that address specific postharvest

concerns of the region. By integrating the individual Provincial Postharvest Development

Plans into this Regional Postharvest Development Plan, the possibility of funding allocation

by the national government would be higher. With this Postharvest Development Plan as a

reference, public funds would be judiciously allocated, which would not only lead to a more

rapid agricultural development but also lead to more effective use of millions or billions of

pesos from government coffers.


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OBJECTIVES

General Objective

This Regional Postharvest Development Plan aims to provide a strategic framework

for the growth and modernization of Western Visayas agricultural landscape, through

judicious identification, distribution and allocation of agro-industrial infrastructure,

machineries and facilities intervention.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, this plan aims to:

a. Identify major agricultural commodities of the region and their postharvest issues

and concerns;

b. Establish an inventory of all existing postharvest machineries and equipment in

the region;

c. Determine the postharvest technology needs vis-a-vis utilization and capacities of

existing technologies in the region in terms of number and kind of machineries

and equipment;

d. Determine the economic implications of postharvest losses for rice, corn, fisheries

and some selected HVCC;

e. Provide a list of projects that address postharvest needs of the region.

METHODOLOGY

The formulation of the Western Visayas Postharvest Development Plan used a

bottom-up participatory planning approach and was guided by the input-process-output

model (Figure 1).

A consultation and planning workshop, which was the heart of the process, was

conducted to draw the status and potential postharvest interventions necessary in the

formulation of the regional postharvest development plan.

Provincial postharvest concerns, priorities and proposed interventions were vital

inputs to the planning workshop. Other essential inputs that were presented in the planning

workshops were data on production of the identified priority commodities of the region,

postharvest facility inventories, research and development updates among national

government agencies like BPRE, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA) and other line

agencies. Likewise, the development concerns of the Local Government Unit (LGU)

constituents were considered in the formulation of the Regional Postharvest Development

Plan.


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Provincial Agriculturists/Assistant Provincial Agriculturists, provincial and regional

planning staff, provincial and regional commodity coordinators, regional agricultural

engineering staff, DA-RFU staff, farmer leaders, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and

representatives of government agencies like PhilRice, NFA and BFAR attended the

workshop. They were directly involved in the identification and prioritization of

recommended interventions to address the postharvest problems, issues and concerns of

farmers and fisherfolks.

The output of the planning and consultation workshop was integrated to become the

bases in the formulation of the Regional Postharvest Development Plan. Validation, follow-

up meetings and consultation with DA-RFU VI were done as part of the process where the

draft of the plan was discussed to harmonize and complement with the existing and priority

projects of the DA regional office. A panel of technical experts from BPRE further reviewed

and evaluated the plan. Roundtable discussion with regional level officials and stakeholders

was the final process involved in firming up the plan.

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

Regional Postharvest

Development Plan

Regional profiles

Priority agri commodities

Postharvest needs and

concerns

Postharvest facilities

inventory and utilization

Projects that address

identified needs and

concerns

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Roundtable Discussion

• Presentation and re-validation of

workshop output to regional level

officials and stakeholders

Consultation-Planning Workshop

• Presentation of input papers

(Provincial, regional and national

levels)

• Small groups’ workshops

• Plenary validation of outputs

Validation meetings,

consultations and review

• Consultation-planning

workshop output validation

• Review by technical panel

Provincial Level

• Priority commodities

• Major concerns

• Priority development

programs and projects

Regional Level

• Priority commodities

• Major concerns

• Priority development

programs and projects

National Level

• Inputs from BPRE,

PhilRice and NFA


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SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The postharvest development plan focused on the analysis and assessment of

postharvest facility requirements of rice, corn and high value commercial commodities vis-à-

vis existing inventory, annual production and an assumed utilization of 100%. The economic

implication of postharvest losses was done only specifically for rice and corn, some selected

HVCC and fisheries. The postharvest facility requirements for high value crops and fisheries

were not determined due to insufficient data on postharvest losses and capacities of existing

facilities for high value crops and fisheries.


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WESTERN VISAYAS

POSTHARVEST

DEVELOPMENT PLAN


11

WESTERN VISAYAS REGIONAL POSTHARVEST DEVELOPMENT PLAN

This part contains the postharvest development strategies for Western Visayas. The

development strategies include the proposed interventions for the region’s priority

commodities with capsule project proposals, and a list of possible financing institutions. This

is the result of a series of activities of which the BPRE, DA-RFU VI and the six provincial

government units of Western Visayas had a collaborative undertaking.

A matrix of project interventions outlines the project implementation plan and the

possible timelines. The strategies in the implementation of the proposed projects include

grant and grant-like modes, build-operate-transfer, soft loan facilities and other modes

applicable under government and non-government programs. The funding of the proposed

projects can be from various funding institutions both government and private sectors. The

requirements and mechanics of funding from both the private and government sectors are

included in the plan to facilitate the access to credit and financing programs.

Postharvest Development Framework

Recognizing the significant role of postharvest in the country’s agriculture sector, this

section presents the postharvest development framework that puts together all the elements

necessary in attaining the development goals for agriculture, in general and for postharvest in

particular (Figure 33).

The postharvest development programs, projects, activities and interventions are the

vital inputs in attaining profitable and sustainable agribusiness ventures leading to improved

socio-economic well-being of the country’s farmers and fisherfolks. AFMA, DA/DILG

Memorandum Circular 11 of 2004 directing DA and LGUs to formulate a development plan

for postharvest and engineering projects, MTPDP and other DA Programs provide the thrusts

and guidelines by which all interventions are implemented.

The interventions shall address priority concerns along with the critical support

services that facilitate the implementation, adoption and/or utilization of these interventions.

Marketing support and conducive policy environments are also important elements that

ensure successful implementation of identified projects, programs and interventions.


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Figure 2. Postharvest development framework

At the onset, BPRE has developed postharvest technologies that address specific

needs in drying and dehydrating crops, handling and processing, food safety procedures and

interventions and other related technologies that add value, preserve quality and reduce

losses. These technologies shall, after careful consideration, be used to address specific

needs. There is therefore an inventory of technologies that provide some answers to priority

development goals of each of the regions and/or provinces of the country.

AFMA (RA 8435)

DA/DILG -MC No. 11 (s

2004)

Fisheries Code

MTPDP

DA Programs on Rice,

Corn, HVCC and

Fisheries

Improved and

accessible

location/task-specific

postharvest

technologies

Support services ,

training, extension,

marketing and policy

advocacy that

encourage

technology

development and

adoption

Postharvest

development

programs, projects and

activities that address

priority concerns

Collaboration of stakeholders

in the implementation of

programs, projects and

activities addressing

postharvest concerns

Identification of priority

postharvest concerns to

be addressed:

- Location-specific

- Need- or Task-

specific

- Market-led

- Integrated

agribusiness

enterprise-oriented

Profitable and sustainable

agribusiness enterprises

using postharvest

technologies and facilities

Improved socio-economic

well-being of farmers and

fisherfolks

Poverty

alleviation

Food

Security

Global

Competitiveness

Access to appropriate

technologies

Implementation of

support mechanisms

- Training

- Extension

- Marketing

- Policy advocacy

Implementation of

support mechanisms

Modernization of

agriculture and

fisheries postharvest

- DA-RFUs

- LGUs

- DA, BPRE and

other NGAs

- Farmers

Organizations

and other

NGOs

- Financial

Institutions


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Regional Postharvest Development Strategies

In the past, huge amounts of harvested grains were wasted because of bad weather

condition, labor shortage, inefficiency of machines used in processing, improper postharvest

practices and lack of awareness on the part of the workers or handlers. Now, with modern

postproduction technologies (like mechanical dryers), grain-saving practices and a more

enhanced awareness campaign on postharvest, losses are minimized. Combined efforts of

both the government and private sectors on reduction of losses through postharvest

interventions had been proven effective.

Prevention of postharvest losses include the use of genotypes that with longer storage

life, use of integrated pest management system that results in good keeping quality of the

commodity, and use of proper postharvest handling systems that maintain the quality and

safety of products. Less postharvest losses could result to reduction of the area needed for

production, conservation of natural resources, and protection of the environment.

Sustained reduction in losses entails more profit to farmers and traders and more

value for money to consumers. The quality of products brought to the market would also

improve and eventually the country could be a grain exporter rather than importer.

Proposed Interventions

Most of the identified problems of the region’s agriculture and fishery industries were

focused on the production, postharvest, marketing and processing aspects. There is much

work to be done to increase food production and alleviate the living condition of subsistence

farmers in the region.

The proposed interventions for each commodity are classified according to the nature

of strategies for agricultural development. The proposed projects are subject to pre-feasibility

studies to determine their financial and socio-economic viability. Also, exact locations for

each project will be determined during the pre-feasibility phase.

Rice and Corn

1. Provision/improvement/rehabilitation of production/postharvest facilities and

infrastructure

The lack of postproduction/processing facilities especially for small farmers

has been one of the most serious problems plaguing the grains industry of the

country. Even with increased yields, small rice/corn farmers remain in poverty

because they are forced to sell their poorly processed produce at low prices to

traders and millers. Strategies may include the following:


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a. Scanning of existing rice/corn production and postharvest systems and practices.

Appropriate machinery for tilling land, leveler, corn planter, harvester-

reaper-stripper, corn picker and postharvest equipment such as threshers, shellers,

seed cleaners, flatbed dryers, MPDPs, transport and storage facilities and other

important facilities and equipment shall be identified through the assistance of the

farmers’ group and the OPA/MAO.

b. Identify and prioritize locations where the postharvest technology interventions

are much needed.

c. Development of Acquisition Scheme.

Acquisition scheme shall be developed and piloted through organized

farmers’ groups. Concerned development stakeholders including manufacturers

shall be identified and tapped for collaboration for the acquisition of the necessary

equipment. These production and postharvest machinery can also be acquired

through the development assistance fund of district representatives.

d. Establishment of grain centers with a capacity of 5,000 bags of rough rice/corn;

4.5 to 6 tonner mechanical dryer; MPDPs to at least one in every

province/political district.

e. Establishment of community-based grains center which shall be situated major

rice/corn producing areas in each province providing services such palay/corn

buying stations, hauling, drying, and warehousing.

f. Construction/improvement and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads & bridges.

The poor condition of existing road networks especially the barangay road

networks and outside the vicinity of the production areas poses threat to the

industry. For one, it can increase cost of transportation leading to lower

competitiveness of the rice/corn products of the provinces.

Identification of locations (barangay per municipality/cities) where the

construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market road is much needed. This can

be done by the Barangay Council through the assistance of the AT assigned in the

particular barangay. Specifications of the proposed road network, nature of

assistance needed, including benefits and required budget must be stated in

details. The MAO/OPA shall consolidate the requested intervention for

submission to the DA-RFU 06 for consolidation and fund sourcing.

g. Other identified needs in the grains postharvest industry of the region

Identification and retrofitting with biomass heating system of existing

functional but underutilized mechanical dryers

Provision of more market outlets to include establishment of buying

stations/trading centers (buying stations/centers) in strategic locations and

establishment of market for milled rice/corn


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Construction of warehouses and improvement of storage facilities with the

inclusion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies

Establishment of regional/provincial seed testing laboratories

Establishment of provincial level seed processing center

Establishment of market outlet for corn with complete drying and transport

facilities

Establishment of corn milling centers

Establishment of feed mills

Establishment of corn processing center

equipped wit efficient postharvest facilities (hauling/transport, shelling,

drying, marketing and storage)

a center in conformity of the international standards (village and district

level)

Establishment of a tramline systems to ease drudgery in the manual hauling of

farmer’s produce specifically for mountainous production areas not accessible

to farm-to market roads

h. Testing and evaluation of postharvest facilities

The continuing effort of the government to reduce postharvest losses depends

primarily on adoption of efficient postharvest practices, facilities and equipment.

It is therefore important that postharvest technologies developed and introduced

by research and private institutions as well as facilities and equipment purchased,

delivered, installed and operated by the postharvest industry are assured to

perform efficiently. Performance testing and evaluation of these facilities and

equipment therefore serves importance in providing such assurance; it would

maximize proliferation of poor quality facilities and equipment.

2. Training and Extension

a. Intensification of Extension Service

Aggressive information dissemination through media and Information,

Education and Communication (IEC) distribution for rice/corn to all industry

players/stakeholders

Technology enhancement programs through trainings, lakbay-aral, capability

building (techno-demo, trainings) and conduct of farmers field school (FFS)

Provide updated market information by posting in billboards in public places

such as the barangay hall, public market, waiting sheds etc. through the

regular monitoring of government agencies such as DTI, NFA and the OPA.

Continuous conduct of School-on-the Air (SOA) Programs on postharvest

Development of Corn Reference materials for aflatoxin analysis

b. Capacity Enhancement

Training on social technology

Leadership training

Writing of project proposals, resolutions, requests

Project management/ management of resources


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Establishment of well-trained pool of engineers and experts regarding

postharvest technologies/ activities such as testing and evaluation of

postharvest facilities/equipment

c. Seminars and trainings

Training of farmers in Rice/Corn S&T like the organic fertilizer production

and the use/application of organic farming technology

Technical capability building through trainings on grains postharvest and

related technologies

Skills training in the operation and maintenance of postharvest facility and

processing equipment

d. Training of Agricultural Technologist (AT)-LGUs and farmers

Increase the ATs access to popularized module packages of technologies

Institutionalize the interaction system between the province’s ATs &

research agencies through S&T updates, technical briefing & fora

Provisions for updated market information

Exposure of farmers through tours and cross visits to model farms and

research institutions

Provision of incentives and reward system for best farmers

Encourage farmers to form/join farmers’ groups/organizations.

e. Build competency of rice-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

Training of entrepreneurs who are interested in modern rice-based and corn-

based processing technologies

Increase entrepreneurs access to popularize module packages for the

technology needs through info-tech

Training on value-adding, improvement of packaging techniques and

promotion to high-end costumers taken into consideration the conformity to

international standards for processed products like “ampaw” and “korniks”

Product promotion and improved packaging

3. Support Policies and Programs

a. Marketing Support and Assistance

Aside from lack of postharvest facilities, the weak and almost non-existent

marketing support provided by government perpetuates the poverty of small

Filipino farmers. The postharvest facility enables the farmers to maintain

palay/rice and corn stocks until a market has been identified.

Marketing strategies shall be devised in each locality whichever is more

appropriate and beneficial for the farmers’ organizations. Marketing support fund

may not be feasible at this time with the government having serious financial

woes. Marketing strategies may include the following:


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Forging of Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial

Governments and the NFA for marketing assistance with regards to the

marketing assistance to be provided to assisted farmers’ organizations or

groups of farmers.

Mass procurement of preferred varieties. Hybrid corn/rice and preferred

inbred varieties shall be given priority in the grains procurement by NFA.

These preferred varieties can be separately stocked by NFA for milling and

marketing and branded as quality milled rice/corn.

Linkaging with traders and millers. The OPA and the MAO shall take the lead

in master listing of accredited traders and millers in the locality for possible

market matching. It can also be arranged with the traders and millers for a

production support fund and a guaranteed marketing agreement with the

farmers’ organizations.

Establishment of marketing linkages with organized consumers. Strong

farmers’ organizations shall be assisted by the MAO/OPA to enter into a

marketing linkages or agreement for rough rice to large processors and or

venture in rice/corn milling to organized consumers like urban-based

consumers’ cooperatives, homeowners associations, employees association

and other organized groups of consumers.

Development of marketing system enables farmers’ organizations to compete

with big-time traders, empowering them to actively participate in a free

market economy.

Strengthening of market access and marketing assistance

i. Centralized marketing through farmer's cooperative

ii. Market matching/linkages (local/foreign)

iii. Facilitation of market linkages such as data on current prices and market

situation

iv. Product promotion and incentives for farmers

v. Provision of rice insurance coverage and price support

vi. Sufficiency assurance of rice supply for the provinces and for the region

b. Credit assistance/ access to low-cost credit and production inputs

Low Interest Credit Support. The OPA, MAO and the GMA Rice Program to

tap QUEDAN Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines and other

government and private lending institutions for credit support to farmers’

group for inbred and hybrid rice production.

Access to Low Cost Production Inputs. The OPA, MAO with the support

of DA agencies to collaborate with fertilizer and pesticides companies, dealers

and distributors for the necessary production inputs at low interest rate and

payable after harvest.

Optimizing and Pooling of Farmers’ Resources. The DA bureaus’ and

attached agencies have to implement activities effectively and efficiently at

lower cost. Other development stakeholders will likely slow down in their

existing and planned development projects due to uncertainty and lack of

financial support. Relative to this, agriculture development maybe paralyzed

to a certain limit. We have to start re-organizing farmers, optimize and pool


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their available resources and start with what they have and able to share. This

could somehow contribute to uplift the economic being of small farmers and

have a share in the stability of the country’s economy.

4. Increased Participation of Development Stakeholders

a. Foster strong collaboration and partnership with the development stakeholders.

The OPA as the project integrator should elicit strong collaboration and

partnership with the following development stakeholders in achieving rice self-

sufficiency and in developing the provinces’ grain industry.

b. Stakeholders’ Forum and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Strong

collaboration and partnership can be done through the conduct of stakeholders’

forum and forging alliance between the PG and the development stakeholders.

Part and parcels of the MOA are the following activities:

Increased participation in research, development and extension (RD&E) for

the development of location-specific technologies and recommendations that

will help maximize the impact of technologies in increasing productivity;

Increased participation in agri-fairs and exhibits, symposium, fora;

Development and testing of innovative technology promotion models;

Development and piloting of business models for different stakeholders of the

grains industry, which include smallholder farmers, farmers cooperatives,

rice/corn millers, traders and distributors, financing institutions and consumer

groups;

Cost sharing scheme.

5. Strengthening Farmers’ Organization

a. Encourage farmers to form and join farmers’ organization. Build farmers’

organization with enough membership to organize and implement a viable

economic activity. Set-up a system of cooperation among farmer-members in

production activities that could bring about optimum gains.

b. Re-vitalization of inactive farmers’ cooperative or association;

c. Provision of minimum resources as a start-up capital;

d. Building inclusive alliances with development stakeholders. Alliances must be

built across classes and sectors. It is important to recognize the work of

development stakeholders who share the vision, the resources and the technical

capabilities. Care must be taken, however to avoid co-optation. Priority projects

must be implemented in an orderly fashion to avoid overlapping of functions and

responsibilities among development partners.

Organization of corn seed growers/corn farmers to sustain the need for corn

seed in the region

Development and implementation of postharvest facility acquisition scheme

i. Networking with funding institutions and NGOs

ii. Value formation and institutional development

Strengthening of rural based organization (cooperatives, farmer associations,

farm youth organization like the 4-H Club)

Continuous support of LGUs and NGAs


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Minimization/regulation of rice importation

Minimize agricultural land conversion through strict implementation of laws

and regulations

Priority High Value Crops

1. Provision/Improvement/Rehabilitation of Postharvest Facilities and Infrastructure

Establishment of Mango Agribusiness Center in Iloilo

Establishment of Mango Irradiation Facility

Establishment of Barangay Food Terminal/Bagsakan Center/Packing Center

Establishment of small-scale one-stop-shop for coffee industry

Establishment of processing plant for fruits (fresh and processed)

Establishment of postharvest storage for cutflowers and cutfoliage

Establishment of processing plant for cutflowers (soap, perfume, etc…)

Establishment of village level processing center for banana

Establishment of abaca pulp mill equipped with mechanized fiber extraction

Establishment of packing center for ready to cook vegetables

Establishment of a tramline systems to ease drudgery in the manual hauling of

farmer’s produce specifically for mountainous production areas

Provision of refrigerated vans, pre-coolers and cold storage for vegetables

Provision of coffee picker, dryer and sheller/depulper for raw coffee to be

supplied to manufacturers/processors

Improvise handloom into semi-mechanized/ fully mechanized for abaca and

piña fiber

Design and development of low-cost postharvest equipment/ facility (to

respond the need of farmers for cheaper and locally available

facilities/equipment)

2. Training and Extension

a. Promotion and Extension of HVCC Postharvest Technologies and Systems

Consultative meetings with the identified clients

Benchmarking and data generation

Training and technical assistance to the new clients

Linkages with financing institutions

Project documentation.

Monitoring and evaluation.

Feasibility studies/investment proposals

b. Intensification of Extension Services

Aggressive information dissemination through media and Information,

Education and Communication (IEC) distribution for HVCC postharvest

technologies to all industry stakeholders

Technology enhancement programs through trainings, lakbay-aral, capability

building (techno-demo, trainings) and conduct of farmers field school (FFS)

Provide updated market information by posting in billboards in public places

such as the barangay hall, public market, waiting sheds etc. through the


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regular monitoring of government agencies such as DTI, DA-AMAD and the

OPA.

c. Conduct of demand-led capacity-building workshops, product specific training

and mentoring activities focusing on learning new skills to get into new markets

or services

d. Enhance capacity of small and medium enterprises like cooperatives, other

farmers organizations, corporations and other relative collective organizations to

broaden their resources and technology use

e. Provision of assistance for the processing of high quality fruits and vegetables for

greater market acceptability and better competitive position in the local and global

market

Technical assistance in the set-up and actual operation of high value crops

processing

Seminar on the improvement of labeling and packaging of processed products

Improved handling and packaging of cutflower/cutfoliage

f. Other trainings

Training and seminars on postharvest handling and related technologies Skills

training on value-adding and coffee processing

Training and skills enhancement on backyard organic fertilizer production,

promotion of solid waste management

Value adding techniques like integrated product processing

Extensions and trainings on abaca fiber production and processing

3. Support Policies and Programs

a. Marketing Assistance. The success of any agricultural project depends largely on

reliable and efficient marketing system. Demand or market driven projects

produce goods based on the actual needs only not on speculative demand and on

very limited marketing information. Thus, the following interventions are very

essential in strengthening the marketing system for high value crops:

Development of Management Systems to preserve the quality of high value

crops from farm to storage/market

Development of providers’ capability to assess the market and to develop

services

Development and implementation of practical market demand survey

methodology/ tools

Development of providers’ capacity to conduct and analyze market research/

surveys

Publication support to information on service market opportunities to

encourage providers to invest in product innovation


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Provide cost-sharing scheme to help providers cover costs involved in the

development of a specific service (e.g., cost contributions prototyping, market

testing/launching)

Mentoring and coaching from program staff and local/ international experts to

help providers to commercialize services

a. Information technology awareness such as development of database on

production, product flow and marketing

b. Development and strengthening of HVCC industry database for planning

purposes

c. Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve farmer’s product

competitiveness

d. Production of high quality vegetables (fresh and semi-processed) through

postharvest technology application (sorting, grading, labeling, etc…)

e. Compliance to International Standard Quality Controls HACCP

f. Linkages with financing institutions for capital expansion to ensure sustainability

g. Preparation of concrete proposals for financial support/assistance from funding

institutions like NABCOR, LGUs, GOs, NGOs and other credit facilities

h. Identification of sure market through market linkage, market matching and

product promotion (market sustainability)

i. Provision of funds for the training of abaca producers, vegetable farmers and piña

fiber producers

j. Establishment/strengthening of farmers association and cooperatives

k. Penetrating institutional vegetable markets through clustering and application of

cold chain system

Muscovado Industry of Antique

The overall strategy is on making the Antique muscovado industry profitable and

competitive by ensuring efficiency in the entire value chain, thereby improving incomes and

generating job opportunities for rural households. It is essential that profitability of small

farms and the efficiency of muscovado mills as rural enterprises are ensured and equitable

income distribution and fair trading relations exist. Taking-off from the results of the

assessment, these objectives could be achieved through the following:

Increasing production and improving productivity at the farm level, specifically:

increasing production per unit area

addressing tenurial security and tenancy sharing system

sugarcane area expansion

adoption of organic sugarcane production

developing appropriate support systems

Sugarmill upgrading and modernization

Improving fair trading relations, specifically:

product consolidation

standardizing weight measurements

market promotions and consumer education


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Cutflower and Cutfoliage Industry of Capiz

To sustain the demands for cutflower and cutfoliage for export, enhancement of the

processing center of the CMPCI through provision of cold storage facilities and processing

equipment is needed to improve the supply chain and increase the level of productivity of

cutflower and cutfoliage industry of the province.

This is also a way of encouraging local growers to produce more to cope for the

growing demand of Japan or even other countries for Capiz cutfoliage and cutflowers. In

effect, the continuing cutfoliage exportation to Japan will also provide more livelihood

opportunities to Capizeños. This promotes entrepreneurship and creates jobs as well as to

support the province’s micro, small and medium enterprises to produce and market products

or services using local raw materials and manpower.

With the upgrading of the center, skills training regarding new and advance

production and processing technologies for cutflower and cutfoliage will be provided to local

growers and other particulars who want to get involve in the industry.

R&D Agenda/Interventions for Cutflowers

Development of better packing materials that will minimize damage

Establishment of Assembly house for sorting, grading and packaging

Establishment of Cold Storage to prolong shelf-life

Intensify postharvest handling, transport technology transfer

Strengthen farm associations/cooperatives, refocus/create awareness of coop

members towards postharvest handling, marketing and proper crop

management

Conduct feasibility study on cutflower processing center for the cooperative

Establish statistical data on the volume and destination of cutflowers marketed

Fisheries

I. Provision/Improvement/Rehabilitation of Postharvest Facilities and Infrastructure

Infrastructure facilities like fishing ports, market buildings, storage facilities, and

other common service facilities will be established in strategic locations in the region.

These projects will be financed by the government or by the private sector; the latter

through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme or as a purely private sector

undertaking. An investment promotion package will be prepared for this purpose. Facilities

needed by municipal fishermen shall be given highest priority by government. These

include the following:

Provision of postharvest facilities (fishery product handling and processing)

Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryers (MCSTD)

Live-market conditioning tanks

Cold chain system and related facilities

Mobile ice makers

Refrigerated vans

Smoke houses


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Establishment of Integrated Fish Processing Complex (IFPC) facilities in

conformity with the international standards

Establishment of canning factories/ plants equipped with state-of-the-art fisheries

postharvest facilities

Establishment of village level fish and other shellfishes processing center

complete with appropriate equipment and facilities

Establishment of seaweed processing/drying center

Rehabilitation of handling, cold storage and ice plant

Establishment of mini-fishport with cold storage, blast freezer, tool processing

plant and auction market

II. Training and Extension

Trainings shall be conducted to upgrade fisherfolks’ skills and knowledge on

productive and sustainable fishing methods, on fish handling and fish processing

techniques, on entrepreneurial skills, and alternative livelihood and skills development.

Fishery extension, training and IEC

Fishery extension service is the technology information dissemination arm

of R&D. While it is true that there are mature technologies that have been

developed, this has to be refined to suit the present times and make it applicable to

the local conditions. Further, the failure of some livelihood projects must be

analyzed to determine the real cause. Skills trainings that will be conducted

should incorporate marketing and packaging aspects. Visits to successful

livelihood projects could enhance ability to manage projects.

Extension officers should look into appropriate fisheries technology training

to equip them with sufficient knowledge. Customized modules and methods of

delivery and conduct of formalized training courses will be developed based on

the identified training needs assessment and approaches to IEC preparation,

implementation and monitoring and evaluation of delivery of services.

Among the specific training and extension needs for the fishery postharvest

industry in the region include the following:

Skills training on drying and semi-processing of seaweeds

Operation and maintenance of MCSTD

Product development training on fish preservation & processing techniques

Training of fisherfolks on proper storage of marine products

Transfer of fish processing techniques to extend the shelf-life of fish thereby

allowing a wider distribution of the products to where they are poorly accessible

like hands-on training, seminar-workshop and lecture-demonstrations

III. Support Policies and Programs

Provision of marketing support

Marketing assistance to municipal fishermen will be strengthened through

cooperatives and processors to effect marketing linkages, joint ventures and other

cooperative fishing activities. Measures shall be undertaken to assist municipal

and commercial fishery operators avail of credit, explore markets and obtain

market information.


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Government shall provide assistance to the industry to enable key players to

increase value added i.e. fish processing ventures. Information on agribusiness

investment possibilities, credit windows, market promotion and development

assistance shall also be provided. More private sector involvement in production,

processing and marketing shall be encouraged.

Encourage development of enterprise and other livelihood/IGP projects

Establishment of market linkages even linkages to international markets

through market matching services and marketing assistance

Policy agenda and preparation of plans and profiles/comprehensive

municipal surveys to be integrated in the provinces/ region

Provision of credit and technical assistance

Credit support and other forms of financial assistance shall likewise be

provided both to municipal and commercial fishing operators. Low interest capital

shall enable poor fisherfolk to acquire appropriate fishing gears. Procedures of

existing credit windows will be studied to identify and overcome problems

encountered in their implementation. Transparent and efficient procedures for

accessing to rural credit and community-based resource management programs

shall be implemented.

Municipal fisherfolk shall be organized, while those that already exist shall

be strengthened. This will facilitate conduct of trainings and delivery of other

forms of assistance. Linkages shall be established between fishing organizations,

line agencies, the LGUs and non-government organizations. Fishing organizations

will be assisted in the preparation of feasibility studies, formulation of coastal

zone development programs, and identification of projects. They shall also be

involved in the conduct of fishery research.

Strengthening of R&D, research utilization and adoption

Concerned agencies shall seek local and external funds to finance R&D

activities. Tie-ups with the academic and research institutions shall be

strengthened to tap their pool of competent personnel. Established research

stations and units in the region shall be strengthened to respond to the growing

demand for R&D projects. Research utilization, adoption of viable research

findings shall be encouraged.

A strong research and development will provide avenues and better

opportunities for the application of technologies developed in other areas. The

focus is to verify and refine technologies on farm, which then can lead to the

development of appropriate technology in the province. This will likewise address

the issues and problems on marketing and postharvest product development, value

adding and packaging. Among the specific R&D needs for the fishery postharvest

industry in the region include the following:

Drying and semi-processing of seaweeds to suit with strict quality

regulations and standards

Suitability testing of MCSTD to various fishery products

Development of a low-cost and locally available drying equipment for

various fishery products

Better handling and packaging materials for semi-processed and processed

fishery products


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Availability of reliable database through development of fisheries

information system (on-line)

Conduct of research and community social mobilization

Strengthening of regulatory functions of LGUs

Concerned government agencies shall assist LGUs in institutionalizing

devolved regulatory functions. Imposing stiff penalties, ensuring strict compliance

with fishery laws, intensifying Bantay-dagat operations, and other related

programs shall be given priority.

The needed equipment and logistics may have to be provided by the national

government considering the financial constraints faced by LGUs. Collaborative

efforts of agencies, LGUs and the private sector should look into the possibility of

granting of fishery-related permits which already take into consideration the

environmental implications of proposed activities.

Establishment of fish catch and monitoring system in the municipalities

Protection of conservations of coastal resources

Operation of regional fisheries information management center

Institutionalization of ISO, GMP, SSOP and HACCP

Compliance to HACCP and International standards (HALAL), etc

Information campaign on fishery and marine laws and regulations

(intensification of regulatory services) and sustainable fishing, market

development linkages (local and foreign)

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