Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program recently conducted a training on post-harvest handling of pineapple and camote to the farmers of Abad Santos Farmers Association (ASFA), held last May 20, 2025 in Brgy. Abad Santos, Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte.
The said activity was initiated to broaden the knowledge of the farmers on the methods of preparing market-ready produce that are in good physical condition to combat post-harvest losses due to impact damages caused by packaging and transportation.
“When it comes to pineapple and camote, right maturity shall be properly observed. The produce shall retain its quality from harvesting to transporting for it to be suitable for consumption,” said Jerry B. Salino Jr., founder of iLAJA Inc., a youth-led Siargao-based Non-Government Organization (NGO) for Agri-education & innovation in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.
He reiterates that marketing fresh produce shall be fast, appropriate, and following the right time frame for it to reach the consumers in its peak quality.
Salino also added the importance of immediate storing of the harvested fruits in a cool dry place away from the sunlight to prevent immediate water loss, causing a decrease in its freshness, which is apparent when being peeled off or sliced.
He further reminded the farmers of ASFA that they shall practice culling when needed. Bruised and rotten fruits shall be segregated to manage the spread of spoilage. In addition, he also talked about sorting the produce by size and quality for better market presentation and market value.
“The appearance and quality of your produce play a big role in its price and marketability. Fresh, clean, and well-priced produce will always be the market’s preference,” Salino expounded.
“As we start our small-scale pineapple retailing business, and as we wait for our camote to be in the reproductive stage, this training is a good activity for us to be mindful in responsibly preserving the good quality of our harvests,” said ASFA chairperson Johnry G. Arlan.
As the FA continue their economic gains through their production and retailing activities, the program in partnership with the local government of Sta. Monica will continue to provide technical and market-related assistance to help the group establish their Community-Based Enterprise (CBE).
