APAYAO, August 26, 2022 – Twenty (20) Isnag farmers and chili producers who ventured into chili paste processing after receiving a training from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program earned Php 15,000.00 income from selling the product in the town proper of Kabugao, Apayao.

The said farmers from the Isnag indigenous cultural community (ICC) were members of the Nahahat Kadikitan Farmers Association (NKFA). The FA is a cooperative for rural workers, specifically for the underemployed and home-based workers with identified capabilities to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The group was registered at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on December 16, 2020, and received SAAD’s Chili Paste Production Project (FY 2021).

The NKFA was identified as beneficiary of the processing training from the FY 2021 Chili Paste Processing Production Project worth Php 65,000.00.  They were producing chili peppers before the DA-SAAD Program intervention, cultivating a 500 square meter area. According to NKFA Assistant Treasurer Ailyn Inggao, the FA harvested the peppers prior to receiving the training which is seen as essential to maximize their harvest for additional income.

Towards enterprise

After the training proper, the group started to market their products during the founding anniversary of the province last February, selling 54 bottles at Php 150.00 each, giving the group a total earning of Php 8,100.00.

Three months later, the group collected 3 ¼ kilograms (kg) of chili producing 46 bottles of paste, earning Php 6,900.00 sold in the town proper. The group also decided to replant to maintain their source of chili.

Table 1. NKFA’s total earnings from selling chili paste

Meanwhile the total amount of the group’s earnings were kept by the association’s treasurer to purchase other consumables such as garlic and oil, and to acquire a gas stove for the next processing in September.

“Iti sili kadakami dituy nga sitio ket kasla appetizer min. Kada mangan kami, adda nga adda iti sili sango panganan mi. Manipud iti ket nasur-suru min iti agmula iti sili ta iti gapo na ket pasaray maysa pay daytoy nga pagbiyagan mi. Agyaman kami ta naikkan kami iti training ta iti gapo na ket manayunan iti kita mi bilang maysa nga enterprise,” shared Mr. Reymundo Ballit, treasurer of NFA.

(Chili served as an appetizer to us. Every time we eat, we don’t miss chili on the table. Since then, we have learned to grow chili, because it is also one of our livelihoods. We are so thankful for the training provided to us because this can help us boost our livelihood as an enterprise.)

Meanwhile, Ms. Inggao, said that they are committed to grow more crops in their upland communal garden for the production of more chili paste for enterprise.

“Plano mi nga ituloy daytoy narugyan min nga pinag process ta ado met iti customer min nga regular nga agbiruk iti chili paste” (We are planning to continue with the processing because we have regular customers now who are looking for chili paste), expressed Ms. Inggao.

About the training

The training was conducted in February 2022 and was facilitated by Bernadette Daggay, Community Development Officer (CDO) and Shermyn Pecban, former Project Development Officer (PDO) of the SAAD Program.

The farmers were taught proper planting of chili peppers, nursery establishment, and farm maintenance such as pruning, pest and diseases management, as well as monitoring of defects that the plants may suffer. Additionally, Ms. Pecban demonstrated the proper way of processing chili peppers into chili paste.

Meanwhile, Ms. Daggay discussed harvesting, drying, and grinding of chili peppers.

Ways forward

As part of their management plan, the group expressed their need for an online marketing training to engage more potential clients. They also agreed to scout possible clients for the next harvest period, to secure next season’s service operations.

Moreover, Mr. Ballit added that they also need assistance in terms of product packaging. According to him, packaging serves as protection of their product during shipment, and to prevent damage while the product sits on the shelf. They are looking forward to labeling their products to reach a wider market. In response, SAAD will continuously provide support to the group in terms of marketing needs, according to Serapio Ulabu, DA-SAAD Provincial Coordinator.  ###

Writer: Kathleen Faye B. Agonoy, DA-SAAD Apayao Information Officer