In
exchange for infra funds
Agri Sec
Asks Benguet Farmers to Supply NCR with Veggies
Agriculture Secretary
Arthur Yap asked Benguet farmers for a year-round supply of vegetables for
outlets in the National Capital Region (NCR) before he releases funds for
road and other infrastructure. “We will support the farmers but they
should first assure the volume of vegetables for the market,” Yap said in
his meeting with Benguet mayors last week. He said Metro Manila markets
need 26 million kilos of vegetables annually.
BY KIM QUITASOL
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat
LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET
– Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap asked Benguet farmers for a year-round
supply of vegetables for outlets in the National Capital Region (NCR)
before he releases funds for road and other infrastructure.
“We will support the
farmers but they should first assure the volume of vegetables for the
market,” Yap said in his meeting with Benguet mayors last week. He said
Metro Manila markets need 26 million kilos of vegetables annually.
Yap assured Benguet
mayors of financial and technical support for the Benguet vegetable
industry, provided farmers agree to supply Metro Manila markets first. Yap
identified carrot, cabbage, potato and Chinese petchay as priority crops
the farmers should supply the market.
The Benguet mayors
lobbied for the improvement of the Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun-Sinipsip
Road and Atok-Kibungan-Mankayan-Buguias road as alternate routes for
transporting vegetables especially during the rainy season when the
Halsema highway is prone to landslides.
Yap demanded the
exact volume of vegetables Benguet could supply Metro Manila markets
before approving any funding for the said alternate routes. He promised,
however, to realign P2 to P3 million ($40,941.66-61,412.49 based on a
$1:P48.85 as of March 16) of his funds to provide a pay loader to help in
road clearing operations during the rainy season while waiting for the
necessary funding for road improvements.
Yap said the
Department of Agriculture (DA) would be funding the construction of
post-harvest facilities, production support and greenhouses in identified
areas in the province.
DA-Cordillera earlier
reported that Benguet supplies Metro Manila markets 1,000 kilos of
assorted vegetables weekly. The same reports said Benguet produces a total
of 1,500 kilos of assorted vegetables weekly. The remaining 500 kilos are
mostly distributed in Baguio-Benguet. Northern Dispatch / Posted by
Bulatlat
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