Department of Agrarian Reform turned over the processing facility to enhance cassava chips production.
The Dumanisi Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBENCO) in Diffun, Quirino had received a newly- renovated processing facility from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to improve, profitably operate, and manage the cooperative's cassava chip manufacturing.
The project has a total cost of ₱430,000, said Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Jess Beth G. Quidasol. The local government of Diffun and DARBENCO are each expected to contribute ₱50,000 and ₱80,000, respectively.
The project is being carried out as part of the DAR's Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project, with a funding of ₱300,000.
A total of 257 cooperative members, including 50 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and 207 Non-ARBs, would benefit from the project, Quidasol stated.
“We want to enhance the processing of the cassava chips production of Quirino farmers through the provision of appropriate facilities and equipment, under the VLFED project,” she said.
Quidasol also stated that the processing facility is intended to improve the competitive ARBs' goods to suit consumer demand.
She said that the department helped the farmers by organizing the community, creating connections with other organizations, offering training on product packaging, and using marketing to reach more consumers.
“The project would increase the community's income. Through the training on processing and packaging, we can sell these products at reasonable prices and increase the farmers’ profit in return," she added.
Representatives of DARBENCO thanked DAR and partner institutions for their support and provision of the facility, which in their opinion will help them accomplish the organization's objectives.
The VLFED project intends to improve ARB's products by utilizing facilities and equipment that are suitable for ARBs' agricultural businesses.
Tags: #DAR, #Cassava Chips Production, #Processing Facility