Aiding local vegetable production in Siargao Island, 25 farmers in Pilar, Surigao del Norte, established a Vegetable Production Project funded through the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Caraga and generated Php 51,815 sales from August to December 2023.
Mainly engaged in rice production and coconut, the Caridad Vegetable Association (CAVEA) from Brgy. Caridad now cultivates a half-hectare vegetable farm, which serves as an additional income source for members and an accessible food source in the community, after the Super Typhoon Odette ravaged their production in 2021.
Under SAAD Phase 2, CAVEA received vegetable seeds and other inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers, plastic mulch, seedling trays, multi-cultivator and materials for the perimeter fence and seedling nursery, amounting to Php 1,038,980.
To enrich members’ local knowledge and practice for effective project management, they underwent training in vegetable production, covering the industry’s situation, crop and cultural practices, and other considerations for establishing a vegetable plantation.
From August to December, the group sold 1,043.25 kilograms (kgs) of vegetables, including bell pepper, bitter gourd, chili, cucumber, eggplant, okra, string beans, and tomato.Table 1. CAVEA production and income from August to December 2023
|
Crops |
Volume Sold (kg) |
Selling price (Php) |
Sales |
| Bell pepper |
8.4 |
200.00 |
1,680.00 |
| Bitter gourd |
306.6 |
60.00 – 70.00 |
21,295.00 |
| Chili |
11.15 |
200.00 – 300.00 |
2,400.00 |
| Cucumber |
267.1 |
40.00 |
10,684.00 |
| Eggplant |
189.8 |
50.00 |
9,440.00 |
| Okra |
2.7 |
30.00 |
81.00 |
| String bean |
145 |
50.00 – 60.00 |
8,655.00 |
| Tomato |
32.2 |
70.00 – 80.00 |
2,536.00 |
| Chopped vegetables |
80.3 |
20.00 – 80.00 |
2,044.00 |
|
Total |
51,815.00 |
||
Ms. Ledwina Escatron, CAVEA Business Manager, sells their harvest in the community and neighboring municipalities. She also sells chopped vegetables off the stock not sold or consumed the previous day for Php 20-80 per kilo.
CAVEA envisions becoming a known producer of fresh vegetables on the island. Leading to such, by 2024, they plan to increase their existing vegetable plantation and include squash and watermelon. They also consider producing cucumber jams derived from a member’s local recipe.Â
For now, the group is finishing their nursery with inputs provided by the Program and labor as their counterpart. With the nursery completed by December, they are expected to germinate more seedlings and increase their production. CAVEA is slowly realizing its long-term goals, all the while contributing to the food production in Siargao Island. ###
Writer: Mark Angelo C. Pineda, DA-SAAD Caraga Information OfficerÂ