BICOL, January 5, 2022 – Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program beneficiaries in Bicol received product labels in support of the promotion of their high-value crops, corn, and organic products as they move towards marketing and enterprise development.

Eleven (11) associations from Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes received product label stickers from the DA-SAAD Program from November 9 to December 16, 2021.

The recipients were the Taboc Organic Farmers Association engaged in selling organic soap, Aňog Corn Farmers Association making corn polvoron products, Binanuahan Juban Vegetable Association involved in pickled ampalaya processing from the municipality of Juban, the San Eugenio Vegetable Farmers Association from Sta. Magdalena who is also engaged in pickled ampalaya processing,  and the TMD Vegetable Growers Association of Donsol creating pickled cucumbers in Sorsogon.

The Sioron High-Value Commercial Farmers Association (SHVCFA) in Gigmoto, San Roque Vegetable Association (SRVA) in Bato, and the San Miguel SAAD Vegetable Farmers Association from Baras in the province of Catanduanes also received product labels for their enterprises. The associations are currently producing products such as pickled vegetables, pickled papaya, and squash yema.

Meanwhile, SAAD Masbate also delivered the same assistance to the Nagkakaisang Mamamayan Tungo sa Kaunlaran – Panubigan and the Jintotolo Island Farmers’ Association both from Balud municipality, and to the Maglambong-Cantorna, Monreal Vegetable and Fruit Farmers’ Association from Monreal. These associations are selling squash molido, turmeric powder, and sinamak (coconut vinegar).

The product labels given by the DA-SAAD to the associations were designed by Planning Officer Maria Sandra P. Guinguing and Researcher Honey Leah O. Cantoria.

Most of the associations already underwent training activities on enterprise development through the DA-SAAD projects for this year. The series of training is aimed at expanding their livelihood resources and sustaining the initial inputs.

Some groups are already linked to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) while other associations plan to register their product at the DTI through DA-SAAD’s assistance.

The associations are already selling their products within the neighborhood, barangays, and municipalities with the plan of expanding their market to some grocery stores in Sorsogon and even outside the region. The Taboc Organic Farmers Association is aiming to be one of the suppliers of soap in some resorts.

The DTI registrations give associations the edge to emerge as enterprises as they have legal documents to present to the consumers and are granted access to different livelihood interventions from said agency.

According to San Miguel SAAD Vegetable Farmers Association President Lucy R. Obo, through this intervention, their product and association will be boosted.

“Dakulang tuwang po ang product label sa samuyang produkto, bukod sa magiging presentable, mas mabibisto ang samuyang asosasyun sa paagi ninto (This product label is a great help in our product, aside from making our product presentable, through this we will also be recognized as an association),” she said.

The associations take this opportunity as an advantage to making their products known in the market and getting patrons from their respective municipalities and neighboring areas. ###

Writer: Angelica A. Blanco, RPMSO Information Officer

Source:

Maria Sandra Guingguing, RPMSO Planning Officer

PPMSO Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes

Photo Source: PPMSO Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes