WESTERN
VISAYAS
POSTHARVEST
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN
ii
Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REGIONAL FIELD UNIT 06
Parola St., Iloilo City
BUREAU OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
FOREWORD
Agriculture has always been regarded as a vital component of the Philippine
economy. The enactment of Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), known as
RA 8435 has rationalized the greater importance of postharvest as a major component in
strengthening the agriculture sector.
Agriculture contributes more than one-third of Gross Regional Domestic Product of
the region. At current prices, the value of agricultural production in Western Visayas has
amounted to Php108.05 billion in 2008.
It is against this backdrop that the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension
(BPRE) formulated a nationwide postharvest development plan for agricultural development
through a bottom-up participatory and comprehensive planning process, with the province
and the region as the focal system. The regional postharvest development plan packages not
only the regional profile but also inventory and status of postharvest facilities, production of
the identified priority commodities, recommended postharvest interventions, and shop list of
capsule project proposals. It is a 10-year development plan that would propel socio-
economic development in Western Visayas.
The information included in this postharvest development plan is a result of a
collaborative project of BPRE, the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Unit VI and
the Provincial Governments of Western Visayas through their respective Offices of the
Provincial Agriculturist.
We hope that in the succeeding years, when all the projects of this development plan
are realized, the region will have better chance to be more competitive not only in the
country but in East Asia as well.
RICARDO L. CACHUELA LARRY P. NACIONALES
Executive Director Regional Executive Director
BPRE DA-RFU VI
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension in collaboration with the
Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 06 acknowledge the following institutions
that provided information on the inventory of postharvest facilities/agricultural data and the
regional profile of Western Visayas Region within their purview:
National Food Authority;
Department of Trade and Industry; and
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Appreciation is given to the following individuals and institutions that have shared
their time, expertise and active participation in the consultation workshops; and provided
invaluable information for this regional postharvest development plan:
All the provincial and regional commodity coordinators;
The provincial agriculturists/assistant provincial agriculturists;
Regional Agricultural Engineering Division;
State Universities and Colleges in the region;
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources VI; and
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Special appreciation is also given to the farmer leaders, and cooperative staff and
members who have shared their time during the Western Visayas Regional Postharvest
Development Consultation and Planning Workshop.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Western Visayas Region Postharvest Development Plan was formulated through
the collaboration of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension and the Department of
Agriculture Region VI.
The Western Visayas Region Postharvest Development Plan was designed to provide
a framework for the judicious distribution and allocation of agro-industrial interventions in
the form of postharvest infrastructure and facilities to boost the development and
modernization of agriculture. This plan serves as a reference for crafting postharvest projects
that are relevant to the Region. Also, this plan serves as a reference in sourcing funds to
implement postharvest projects.
This is a 10-year development plan that contains projects addressing the pressing
concerns of the agriculture sector with special focus on the postharvest component.
Incorporated also in this development plan are project strategies and financing options for
easy reference and guide for investors, both private institutions and local government units,
so that the proposed projects would be realized.
This plan was developed through a bottom-up participatory and comprehensive
planning process. A regional consultation workshop with farmer leaders, provincial
agriculturists, assistant provincial agriculturists, assistant provincial agriculturists, planning
officers, program coordinators, provincial agricultural and fishery council chairman,
provincial and regional commodity coordinators, members of farmers’ cooperatives,
representatives from State Universities and Colleges of the region, Department of
Agriculture-Regional Field Unit VI, non-government organizations, National Food
Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Rice Research
Institute, was conducted. Interventions were proposed to address the needs of the regional
priority commodities (rice, corn, high value commercial crops specifically mango, banana,
coffee, vegetables, cutflowers and cutfoliage, muscovado sugar and fisheries). From these
proposed interventions, specific projects on research and development, extension, training,
policy advocacy and support programs were crafted and validated among the stakeholders.
From among the proposed projects of the six provinces, a total of 18 were validated
and are included in this development plan. These projects include the establishment of:
modern rice processing complex; small-scale rice milling business; community-based grain
drying center; provincial rice seed processing centers ; medium scale mechanization service
center ; agricultural tramline system; corn postharvest processing & trading center; mango
agribusiness center; facilities service center for cashew-based products; village-level fish
processing center; seaweeds dehydration center; trading post and packing centers; and
retrofitting of under-utilized mechanical dryers with rice hull fed furnace; construction of the
Antique muscovado sugar postharvest service facility; farm mechanization of sugarcane
production in Central Antique to support the muscovado industry; enhancement of the
cutflower and cutfoliage processing center; provision of mobile ice makers; and
promotion/extension of HVCC postharvest technologies/systems.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
5
Regional and agricultural profile of the six Western Visayas provinces were
integrated and used as reference for the formulation of this postharvest development plan. A
regional inventory of existing postharvest facilities and equipment was recorded, updated and
validated on the field in collaboration with the DA-RFU VI. From this information, maps
were drawn indicating the approximate locations of different commodities and postharvest
facilities in the region.
Status of the postharvest facilities was analyzed in terms of utilization; sufficiency
levels or gaps were determined based capacities, volumes of production, losses and other
relevant parameters. Analysis showed a deficit in dryers and storage for both rice and corn,
shellers, and corn milling facilities. On the other hand, the region is more than sufficient in
threshers and rice mills.
Moreover, through this collaborative undertaking, the BPRE’s database on
postharvest facilities in the Western Visayas Region was updated. The status of postharvest
infrastructure has been mapped out providing useful decision-making tool for planners,
policy makers, and research development and extension agencies.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
6
INTRODUCTION
Until recently, agriculture’s postharvest concerns have been given little importance in
development efforts and investment. In the last decade, postharvest gained substantial
increase in investment and support both from the government and the private sector. One
major development in the agriculture and fishery sectors is the enactment into law of the
Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), otherwise known as RA 8435. This law
rationalized and afforded greater importance to postharvest as one of agriculture’s major
components. Moreover, a joint Memorandum Circular No. 11, series of 2004 was issued by
the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior Government (DILG)
directing DA and the Local Government Units (LGU) to immediately formulate a
development plan for postharvest and other engineering projects.
Research, development and extension efforts of various government agencies along
with numerous private organizations and individuals have been implemented with the aim of
improving the condition of the agriculture’s postharvest component. These efforts have
resulted to technologies that address specific concerns on harvesting, storing, processing,
marketing and other handling processes that agricultural crops undergo from the farm to
consumers’ table. A number of postharvest systems and technologies are now available for
use by the country’s farmers, fisherfolks and other sectors that handle agricultural
commodities. However, there is a need to identify the most suitable mix of technologies that
must be supported by a policy environment conducive in adopting these technologies for
more efficient, productive and profitable endeavor.
Thus, the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) in collaboration
with DA-Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs) spearheaded the crafting of Regional Postharvest
Development Plans. Specifically, BPRE and DA-RFU VI have collaborated to craft the
Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan. The plan aims to provide
direction for the development of the postharvest industry in Western Visayas for the next 10
years. The plan captures and incorporates the unique characteristics of the different
provinces in the region particularly their development concerns and priorities while also
taking into consideration the national directions, priorities and programs.
The Regional Postharvest Development Plan provides a more logical and rational
basis or framework for the identification, allocation and distribution of interventions in the
form of agro-industrial infrastructure and postharvest facilities. In addition, this plan serves
as a reference and provides a shopping list of projects that address specific postharvest
concerns of the region. By integrating the individual Provincial Postharvest Development
Plans into this Regional Postharvest Development Plan, the possibility of funding allocation
by the national government would be higher. With this Postharvest Development Plan as a
reference, public funds would be judiciously allocated, which would not only lead to a more
rapid agricultural development but also lead to more effective use of millions or billions of
pesos from government coffers.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
7
OBJECTIVES
General Objective
This Regional Postharvest Development Plan aims to provide a strategic framework
for the growth and modernization of Western Visayas agricultural landscape, through
judicious identification, distribution and allocation of agro-industrial infrastructure,
machineries and facilities intervention.
Specific Objectives
Specifically, this plan aims to:
a. Identify major agricultural commodities of the region and their postharvest issues
and concerns;
b. Establish an inventory of all existing postharvest machineries and equipment in
the region;
c. Determine the postharvest technology needs vis-a-vis utilization and capacities of
existing technologies in the region in terms of number and kind of machineries
and equipment;
d. Determine the economic implications of postharvest losses for rice, corn, fisheries
and some selected HVCC;
e. Provide a list of projects that address postharvest needs of the region.
METHODOLOGY
The formulation of the Western Visayas Postharvest Development Plan used a
bottom-up participatory planning approach and was guided by the input-process-output
model (Figure 1).
A consultation and planning workshop, which was the heart of the process, was
conducted to draw the status and potential postharvest interventions necessary in the
formulation of the regional postharvest development plan.
Provincial postharvest concerns, priorities and proposed interventions were vital
inputs to the planning workshop. Other essential inputs that were presented in the planning
workshops were data on production of the identified priority commodities of the region,
postharvest facility inventories, research and development updates among national
government agencies like BPRE, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA) and other line
agencies. Likewise, the development concerns of the Local Government Unit (LGU)
constituents were considered in the formulation of the Regional Postharvest Development
Plan.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
8
Provincial Agriculturists/Assistant Provincial Agriculturists, provincial and regional
planning staff, provincial and regional commodity coordinators, regional agricultural
engineering staff, DA-RFU staff, farmer leaders, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and
representatives of government agencies like PhilRice, NFA and BFAR attended the
workshop. They were directly involved in the identification and prioritization of
recommended interventions to address the postharvest problems, issues and concerns of
farmers and fisherfolks.
The output of the planning and consultation workshop was integrated to become the
bases in the formulation of the Regional Postharvest Development Plan. Validation, follow-
up meetings and consultation with DA-RFU VI were done as part of the process where the
draft of the plan was discussed to harmonize and complement with the existing and priority
projects of the DA regional office. A panel of technical experts from BPRE further reviewed
and evaluated the plan. Roundtable discussion with regional level officials and stakeholders
was the final process involved in firming up the plan.
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
Regional Postharvest
Development Plan
Regional profiles
Priority agri commodities
Postharvest needs and
concerns
Postharvest facilities
inventory and utilization
Projects that address
identified needs and
concerns
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
Roundtable Discussion
• Presentation and re-validation of
workshop output to regional level
officials and stakeholders
Consultation-Planning Workshop
• Presentation of input papers
(Provincial, regional and national
levels)
• Small groups’ workshops
• Plenary validation of outputs
Validation meetings,
consultations and review
• Consultation-planning
workshop output validation
• Review by technical panel
Provincial Level
• Priority commodities
• Major concerns
• Priority development
programs and projects
Regional Level
• Priority commodities
• Major concerns
• Priority development
programs and projects
National Level
• Inputs from BPRE,
PhilRice and NFA
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
9
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
The postharvest development plan focused on the analysis and assessment of
postharvest facility requirements of rice, corn and high value commercial commodities vis-à-
vis existing inventory, annual production and an assumed utilization of 100%. The economic
implication of postharvest losses was done only specifically for rice and corn, some selected
HVCC and fisheries. The postharvest facility requirements for high value crops and fisheries
were not determined due to insufficient data on postharvest losses and capacities of existing
facilities for high value crops and fisheries.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
10
WESTERN VISAYAS
POSTHARVEST
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
11
WESTERN VISAYAS REGIONAL POSTHARVEST DEVELOPMENT PLAN
This part contains the postharvest development strategies for Western Visayas. The
development strategies include the proposed interventions for the region’s priority
commodities with capsule project proposals, and a list of possible financing institutions. This
is the result of a series of activities of which the BPRE, DA-RFU VI and the six provincial
government units of Western Visayas had a collaborative undertaking.
A matrix of project interventions outlines the project implementation plan and the
possible timelines. The strategies in the implementation of the proposed projects include
grant and grant-like modes, build-operate-transfer, soft loan facilities and other modes
applicable under government and non-government programs. The funding of the proposed
projects can be from various funding institutions both government and private sectors. The
requirements and mechanics of funding from both the private and government sectors are
included in the plan to facilitate the access to credit and financing programs.
Postharvest Development Framework
Recognizing the significant role of postharvest in the country’s agriculture sector, this
section presents the postharvest development framework that puts together all the elements
necessary in attaining the development goals for agriculture, in general and for postharvest in
particular (Figure 33).
The postharvest development programs, projects, activities and interventions are the
vital inputs in attaining profitable and sustainable agribusiness ventures leading to improved
socio-economic well-being of the country’s farmers and fisherfolks. AFMA, DA/DILG
Memorandum Circular 11 of 2004 directing DA and LGUs to formulate a development plan
for postharvest and engineering projects, MTPDP and other DA Programs provide the thrusts
and guidelines by which all interventions are implemented.
The interventions shall address priority concerns along with the critical support
services that facilitate the implementation, adoption and/or utilization of these interventions.
Marketing support and conducive policy environments are also important elements that
ensure successful implementation of identified projects, programs and interventions.
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
12
Figure 2. Postharvest development framework
At the onset, BPRE has developed postharvest technologies that address specific
needs in drying and dehydrating crops, handling and processing, food safety procedures and
interventions and other related technologies that add value, preserve quality and reduce
losses. These technologies shall, after careful consideration, be used to address specific
needs. There is therefore an inventory of technologies that provide some answers to priority
development goals of each of the regions and/or provinces of the country.
AFMA (RA 8435)
DA/DILG -MC No. 11 (s
2004)
Fisheries Code
MTPDP
DA Programs on Rice,
Corn, HVCC and
Fisheries
Improved and
accessible
location/task-specific
postharvest
technologies
Support services ,
training, extension,
marketing and policy
advocacy that
encourage
technology
development and
adoption
Postharvest
development
programs, projects and
activities that address
priority concerns
Collaboration of stakeholders
in the implementation of
programs, projects and
activities addressing
postharvest concerns
Identification of priority
postharvest concerns to
be addressed:
- Location-specific
- Need- or Task-
specific
- Market-led
- Integrated
agribusiness
enterprise-oriented
Profitable and sustainable
agribusiness enterprises
using postharvest
technologies and facilities
Improved socio-economic
well-being of farmers and
fisherfolks
Poverty
alleviation
Food
Security
Global
Competitiveness
Access to appropriate
technologies
Implementation of
support mechanisms
- Training
- Extension
- Marketing
- Policy advocacy
Implementation of
support mechanisms
Modernization of
agriculture and
fisheries postharvest
- DA-RFUs
- LGUs
- DA, BPRE and
other NGAs
- Farmers
Organizations
and other
NGOs
- Financial
Institutions
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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Regional Postharvest Development Strategies
In the past, huge amounts of harvested grains were wasted because of bad weather
condition, labor shortage, inefficiency of machines used in processing, improper postharvest
practices and lack of awareness on the part of the workers or handlers. Now, with modern
postproduction technologies (like mechanical dryers), grain-saving practices and a more
enhanced awareness campaign on postharvest, losses are minimized. Combined efforts of
both the government and private sectors on reduction of losses through postharvest
interventions had been proven effective.
Prevention of postharvest losses include the use of genotypes that with longer storage
life, use of integrated pest management system that results in good keeping quality of the
commodity, and use of proper postharvest handling systems that maintain the quality and
safety of products. Less postharvest losses could result to reduction of the area needed for
production, conservation of natural resources, and protection of the environment.
Sustained reduction in losses entails more profit to farmers and traders and more
value for money to consumers. The quality of products brought to the market would also
improve and eventually the country could be a grain exporter rather than importer.
Proposed Interventions
Most of the identified problems of the region’s agriculture and fishery industries were
focused on the production, postharvest, marketing and processing aspects. There is much
work to be done to increase food production and alleviate the living condition of subsistence
farmers in the region.
The proposed interventions for each commodity are classified according to the nature
of strategies for agricultural development. The proposed projects are subject to pre-feasibility
studies to determine their financial and socio-economic viability. Also, exact locations for
each project will be determined during the pre-feasibility phase.
Rice and Corn
1. Provision/improvement/rehabilitation of production/postharvest facilities and
infrastructure
The lack of postproduction/processing facilities especially for small farmers
has been one of the most serious problems plaguing the grains industry of the
country. Even with increased yields, small rice/corn farmers remain in poverty
because they are forced to sell their poorly processed produce at low prices to
traders and millers. Strategies may include the following:
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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a. Scanning of existing rice/corn production and postharvest systems and practices.
Appropriate machinery for tilling land, leveler, corn planter, harvester-
reaper-stripper, corn picker and postharvest equipment such as threshers, shellers,
seed cleaners, flatbed dryers, MPDPs, transport and storage facilities and other
important facilities and equipment shall be identified through the assistance of the
farmers’ group and the OPA/MAO.
b. Identify and prioritize locations where the postharvest technology interventions
are much needed.
c. Development of Acquisition Scheme.
Acquisition scheme shall be developed and piloted through organized
farmers’ groups. Concerned development stakeholders including manufacturers
shall be identified and tapped for collaboration for the acquisition of the necessary
equipment. These production and postharvest machinery can also be acquired
through the development assistance fund of district representatives.
d. Establishment of grain centers with a capacity of 5,000 bags of rough rice/corn;
4.5 to 6 tonner mechanical dryer; MPDPs to at least one in every
province/political district.
e. Establishment of community-based grains center which shall be situated major
rice/corn producing areas in each province providing services such palay/corn
buying stations, hauling, drying, and warehousing.
f. Construction/improvement and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads & bridges.
The poor condition of existing road networks especially the barangay road
networks and outside the vicinity of the production areas poses threat to the
industry. For one, it can increase cost of transportation leading to lower
competitiveness of the rice/corn products of the provinces.
Identification of locations (barangay per municipality/cities) where the
construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market road is much needed. This can
be done by the Barangay Council through the assistance of the AT assigned in the
particular barangay. Specifications of the proposed road network, nature of
assistance needed, including benefits and required budget must be stated in
details. The MAO/OPA shall consolidate the requested intervention for
submission to the DA-RFU 06 for consolidation and fund sourcing.
g. Other identified needs in the grains postharvest industry of the region
Identification and retrofitting with biomass heating system of existing
functional but underutilized mechanical dryers
Provision of more market outlets to include establishment of buying
stations/trading centers (buying stations/centers) in strategic locations and
establishment of market for milled rice/corn
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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Construction of warehouses and improvement of storage facilities with the
inclusion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies
Establishment of regional/provincial seed testing laboratories
Establishment of provincial level seed processing center
Establishment of market outlet for corn with complete drying and transport
facilities
Establishment of corn milling centers
Establishment of feed mills
Establishment of corn processing center
equipped wit efficient postharvest facilities (hauling/transport, shelling,
drying, marketing and storage)
a center in conformity of the international standards (village and district
level)
Establishment of a tramline systems to ease drudgery in the manual hauling of
farmer’s produce specifically for mountainous production areas not accessible
to farm-to market roads
h. Testing and evaluation of postharvest facilities
The continuing effort of the government to reduce postharvest losses depends
primarily on adoption of efficient postharvest practices, facilities and equipment.
It is therefore important that postharvest technologies developed and introduced
by research and private institutions as well as facilities and equipment purchased,
delivered, installed and operated by the postharvest industry are assured to
perform efficiently. Performance testing and evaluation of these facilities and
equipment therefore serves importance in providing such assurance; it would
maximize proliferation of poor quality facilities and equipment.
2. Training and Extension
a. Intensification of Extension Service
Aggressive information dissemination through media and Information,
Education and Communication (IEC) distribution for rice/corn to all industry
players/stakeholders
Technology enhancement programs through trainings, lakbay-aral, capability
building (techno-demo, trainings) and conduct of farmers field school (FFS)
Provide updated market information by posting in billboards in public places
such as the barangay hall, public market, waiting sheds etc. through the
regular monitoring of government agencies such as DTI, NFA and the OPA.
Continuous conduct of School-on-the Air (SOA) Programs on postharvest
Development of Corn Reference materials for aflatoxin analysis
b. Capacity Enhancement
Training on social technology
Leadership training
Writing of project proposals, resolutions, requests
Project management/ management of resources
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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Establishment of well-trained pool of engineers and experts regarding
postharvest technologies/ activities such as testing and evaluation of
postharvest facilities/equipment
c. Seminars and trainings
Training of farmers in Rice/Corn S&T like the organic fertilizer production
and the use/application of organic farming technology
Technical capability building through trainings on grains postharvest and
related technologies
Skills training in the operation and maintenance of postharvest facility and
processing equipment
d. Training of Agricultural Technologist (AT)-LGUs and farmers
Increase the ATs access to popularized module packages of technologies
Institutionalize the interaction system between the province’s ATs &
research agencies through S&T updates, technical briefing & fora
Provisions for updated market information
Exposure of farmers through tours and cross visits to model farms and
research institutions
Provision of incentives and reward system for best farmers
Encourage farmers to form/join farmers’ groups/organizations.
e. Build competency of rice-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Training of entrepreneurs who are interested in modern rice-based and corn-
based processing technologies
Increase entrepreneurs access to popularize module packages for the
technology needs through info-tech
Training on value-adding, improvement of packaging techniques and
promotion to high-end costumers taken into consideration the conformity to
international standards for processed products like “ampaw” and “korniks”
Product promotion and improved packaging
3. Support Policies and Programs
a. Marketing Support and Assistance
Aside from lack of postharvest facilities, the weak and almost non-existent
marketing support provided by government perpetuates the poverty of small
Filipino farmers. The postharvest facility enables the farmers to maintain
palay/rice and corn stocks until a market has been identified.
Marketing strategies shall be devised in each locality whichever is more
appropriate and beneficial for the farmers’ organizations. Marketing support fund
may not be feasible at this time with the government having serious financial
woes. Marketing strategies may include the following:
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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Forging of Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial
Governments and the NFA for marketing assistance with regards to the
marketing assistance to be provided to assisted farmers’ organizations or
groups of farmers.
Mass procurement of preferred varieties. Hybrid corn/rice and preferred
inbred varieties shall be given priority in the grains procurement by NFA.
These preferred varieties can be separately stocked by NFA for milling and
marketing and branded as quality milled rice/corn.
Linkaging with traders and millers. The OPA and the MAO shall take the lead
in master listing of accredited traders and millers in the locality for possible
market matching. It can also be arranged with the traders and millers for a
production support fund and a guaranteed marketing agreement with the
farmers’ organizations.
Establishment of marketing linkages with organized consumers. Strong
farmers’ organizations shall be assisted by the MAO/OPA to enter into a
marketing linkages or agreement for rough rice to large processors and or
venture in rice/corn milling to organized consumers like urban-based
consumers’ cooperatives, homeowners associations, employees association
and other organized groups of consumers.
Development of marketing system enables farmers’ organizations to compete
with big-time traders, empowering them to actively participate in a free
market economy.
Strengthening of market access and marketing assistance
i. Centralized marketing through farmer's cooperative
ii. Market matching/linkages (local/foreign)
iii. Facilitation of market linkages such as data on current prices and market
situation
iv. Product promotion and incentives for farmers
v. Provision of rice insurance coverage and price support
vi. Sufficiency assurance of rice supply for the provinces and for the region
b. Credit assistance/ access to low-cost credit and production inputs
Low Interest Credit Support. The OPA, MAO and the GMA Rice Program to
tap QUEDAN Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines and other
government and private lending institutions for credit support to farmers’
group for inbred and hybrid rice production.
Access to Low Cost Production Inputs. The OPA, MAO with the support
of DA agencies to collaborate with fertilizer and pesticides companies, dealers
and distributors for the necessary production inputs at low interest rate and
payable after harvest.
Optimizing and Pooling of Farmers’ Resources. The DA bureaus’ and
attached agencies have to implement activities effectively and efficiently at
lower cost. Other development stakeholders will likely slow down in their
existing and planned development projects due to uncertainty and lack of
financial support. Relative to this, agriculture development maybe paralyzed
to a certain limit. We have to start re-organizing farmers, optimize and pool
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
18
their available resources and start with what they have and able to share. This
could somehow contribute to uplift the economic being of small farmers and
have a share in the stability of the country’s economy.
4. Increased Participation of Development Stakeholders
a. Foster strong collaboration and partnership with the development stakeholders.
The OPA as the project integrator should elicit strong collaboration and
partnership with the following development stakeholders in achieving rice self-
sufficiency and in developing the provinces’ grain industry.
b. Stakeholders’ Forum and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Strong
collaboration and partnership can be done through the conduct of stakeholders’
forum and forging alliance between the PG and the development stakeholders.
Part and parcels of the MOA are the following activities:
Increased participation in research, development and extension (RD&E) for
the development of location-specific technologies and recommendations that
will help maximize the impact of technologies in increasing productivity;
Increased participation in agri-fairs and exhibits, symposium, fora;
Development and testing of innovative technology promotion models;
Development and piloting of business models for different stakeholders of the
grains industry, which include smallholder farmers, farmers cooperatives,
rice/corn millers, traders and distributors, financing institutions and consumer
groups;
Cost sharing scheme.
5. Strengthening Farmers’ Organization
a. Encourage farmers to form and join farmers’ organization. Build farmers’
organization with enough membership to organize and implement a viable
economic activity. Set-up a system of cooperation among farmer-members in
production activities that could bring about optimum gains.
b. Re-vitalization of inactive farmers’ cooperative or association;
c. Provision of minimum resources as a start-up capital;
d. Building inclusive alliances with development stakeholders. Alliances must be
built across classes and sectors. It is important to recognize the work of
development stakeholders who share the vision, the resources and the technical
capabilities. Care must be taken, however to avoid co-optation. Priority projects
must be implemented in an orderly fashion to avoid overlapping of functions and
responsibilities among development partners.
Organization of corn seed growers/corn farmers to sustain the need for corn
seed in the region
Development and implementation of postharvest facility acquisition scheme
i. Networking with funding institutions and NGOs
ii. Value formation and institutional development
Strengthening of rural based organization (cooperatives, farmer associations,
farm youth organization like the 4-H Club)
Continuous support of LGUs and NGAs
PART III Western Visayas Regional Postharvest Development Plan
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Minimization/regulation of rice importation
Minimize agricultural land conversion through strict implementation of laws
and regulations
Priority High Value Crops
1. Provision/Improvement/Rehabilitation of Postharvest Facilities and Infrastructure
Establishment of Mango Agribusiness Center in Iloilo
Establishment of Mango Irradiation Facility
Establishment of Barangay Food Terminal/Bagsakan Center/Packing Center
Establishment of small-scale one-stop-shop for coffee industry
Establishment of processing plant for fruits (fresh and processed)
Establishment of postharvest storage for cutflowers and cutfoliage
Establishment of processing plant for cutflowers (soap, perfume, etc…)
Establishment of village level processing center for banana
Establishment of abaca pulp mill equipped with mechanized fiber extraction
Establishment of packing center for ready to cook vegetables
Establishment of a tramline systems to ease drudgery in the manual hauling of
farmer’s produce specifically for mountainous production areas
Provision of refrigerated vans, pre-coolers and cold storage for vegetables
Provision of coffee picker, dryer and sheller/depulper for raw coffee to be
supplied to manufacturers/processors
Improvise handloom into semi-mechanized/ fully mechanized for abaca and
piña fiber
Design and development of low-cost postharvest equipment/ facility (to
respond the need of farmers for cheaper and locally available
facilities/equipment)
2. Training and Extension
a. Promotion and Extension of HVCC Postharvest Technologies and Systems
Consultative meetings with the identified clients
Benchmarking and data generation
Training and technical assistance to the new clients
Linkages with financing institutions
Project documentation.
Monitoring and evaluation.
Feasibility studies/investment proposals
b. Intensification of Extension Services
Aggressive information dissemination through media and Information,
Education and Communication (IEC) distribution for HVCC postharvest
technologies to all industry stakeholders
Technology enhancement programs through trainings, lakbay-aral, capability
building (techno-demo, trainings) and conduct of farmers field school (FFS)
Provide updated market information by posting in billboards in public places
such as the barangay hall, public market, waiting sheds etc. through the
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regular monitoring of government agencies such as DTI, DA-AMAD and the
OPA.
c. Conduct of demand-led capacity-building workshops, product specific training
and mentoring activities focusing on learning new skills to get into new markets
or services
d. Enhance capacity of small and medium enterprises like cooperatives, other
farmers organizations, corporations and other relative collective organizations to
broaden their resources and technology use
e. Provision of assistance for the processing of high quality fruits and vegetables for
greater market acceptability and better competitive position in the local and global
market
Technical assistance in the set-up and actual operation of high value crops
processing
Seminar on the improvement of labeling and packaging of processed products
Improved handling and packaging of cutflower/cutfoliage
f. Other trainings
Training and seminars on postharvest handling and related technologies Skills
training on value-adding and coffee processing
Training and skills enhancement on backyard organic fertilizer production,
promotion of solid waste management
Value adding techniques like integrated product processing
Extensions and trainings on abaca fiber production and processing
3. Support Policies and Programs
a. Marketing Assistance. The success of any agricultural project depends largely on
reliable and efficient marketing system. Demand or market driven projects
produce goods based on the actual needs only not on speculative demand and on
very limited marketing information. Thus, the following interventions are very
essential in strengthening the marketing system for high value crops:
Development of Management Systems to preserve the quality of high value
crops from farm to storage/market
Development of providers’ capability to assess the market and to develop
services
Development and implementation of practical market demand survey
methodology/ tools
Development of providers’ capacity to conduct and analyze market research/
surveys
Publication support to information on service market opportunities to
encourage providers to invest in product innovation
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Provide cost-sharing scheme to help providers cover costs involved in the
development of a specific service (e.g., cost contributions prototyping, market
testing/launching)
Mentoring and coaching from program staff and local/ international experts to
help providers to commercialize services
a. Information technology awareness such as development of database on
production, product flow and marketing
b. Development and strengthening of HVCC industry database for planning
purposes
c. Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve farmer’s product
competitiveness
d. Production of high quality vegetables (fresh and semi-processed) through
postharvest technology application (sorting, grading, labeling, etc…)
e. Compliance to International Standard Quality Controls HACCP
f. Linkages with financing institutions for capital expansion to ensure sustainability
g. Preparation of concrete proposals for financial support/assistance from funding
institutions like NABCOR, LGUs, GOs, NGOs and other credit facilities
h. Identification of sure market through market linkage, market matching and
product promotion (market sustainability)
i. Provision of funds for the training of abaca producers, vegetable farmers and piña
fiber producers
j. Establishment/strengthening of farmers association and cooperatives
k. Penetrating institutional vegetable markets through clustering and application of
cold chain system
Muscovado Industry of Antique
The overall strategy is on making the Antique muscovado industry profitable and
competitive by ensuring efficiency in the entire value chain, thereby improving incomes and
generating job opportunities for rural households. It is essential that profitability of small
farms and the efficiency of muscovado mills as rural enterprises are ensured and equitable
income distribution and fair trading relations exist. Taking-off from the results of the
assessment, these objectives could be achieved through the following:
Increasing production and improving productivity at the farm level, specifically:
increasing production per unit area
addressing tenurial security and tenancy sharing system
sugarcane area expansion
adoption of organic sugarcane production
developing appropriate support systems
Sugarmill upgrading and modernization
Improving fair trading relations, specifically:
product consolidation
standardizing weight measurements
market promotions and consumer education
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Cutflower and Cutfoliage Industry of Capiz
To sustain the demands for cutflower and cutfoliage for export, enhancement of the
processing center of the CMPCI through provision of cold storage facilities and processing
equipment is needed to improve the supply chain and increase the level of productivity of
cutflower and cutfoliage industry of the province.
This is also a way of encouraging local growers to produce more to cope for the
growing demand of Japan or even other countries for Capiz cutfoliage and cutflowers. In
effect, the continuing cutfoliage exportation to Japan will also provide more livelihood
opportunities to Capizeños. This promotes entrepreneurship and creates jobs as well as to
support the province’s micro, small and medium enterprises to produce and market products
or services using local raw materials and manpower.
With the upgrading of the center, skills training regarding new and advance
production and processing technologies for cutflower and cutfoliage will be provided to local
growers and other particulars who want to get involve in the industry.
R&D Agenda/Interventions for Cutflowers
Development of better packing materials that will minimize damage
Establishment of Assembly house for sorting, grading and packaging
Establishment of Cold Storage to prolong shelf-life
Intensify postharvest handling, transport technology transfer
Strengthen farm associations/cooperatives, refocus/create awareness of coop
members towards postharvest handling, marketing and proper crop
management
Conduct feasibility study on cutflower processing center for the cooperative
Establish statistical data on the volume and destination of cutflowers marketed
Fisheries
I. Provision/Improvement/Rehabilitation of Postharvest Facilities and Infrastructure
Infrastructure facilities like fishing ports, market buildings, storage facilities, and
other common service facilities will be established in strategic locations in the region.
These projects will be financed by the government or by the private sector; the latter
through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme or as a purely private sector
undertaking. An investment promotion package will be prepared for this purpose. Facilities
needed by municipal fishermen shall be given highest priority by government. These
include the following:
Provision of postharvest facilities (fishery product handling and processing)
Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryers (MCSTD)
Live-market conditioning tanks
Cold chain system and related facilities
Mobile ice makers
Refrigerated vans
Smoke houses
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Establishment of Integrated Fish Processing Complex (IFPC) facilities in
conformity with the international standards
Establishment of canning factories/ plants equipped with state-of-the-art fisheries
postharvest facilities
Establishment of village level fish and other shellfishes processing center
complete with appropriate equipment and facilities
Establishment of seaweed processing/drying center
Rehabilitation of handling, cold storage and ice plant
Establishment of mini-fishport with cold storage, blast freezer, tool processing
plant and auction market
II. Training and Extension
Trainings shall be conducted to upgrade fisherfolks’ skills and knowledge on
productive and sustainable fishing methods, on fish handling and fish processing
techniques, on entrepreneurial skills, and alternative livelihood and skills development.
Fishery extension, training and IEC
Fishery extension service is the technology information dissemination arm
of R&D. While it is true that there are mature technologies that have been
developed, this has to be refined to suit the present times and make it applicable to
the local conditions. Further, the failure of some livelihood projects must be
analyzed to determine the real cause. Skills trainings that will be conducted
should incorporate marketing and packaging aspects. Visits to successful
livelihood projects could enhance ability to manage projects.
Extension officers should look into appropriate fisheries technology training
to equip them with sufficient knowledge. Customized modules and methods of
delivery and conduct of formalized training courses will be developed based on
the identified training needs assessment and approaches to IEC preparation,
implementation and monitoring and evaluation of delivery of services.
Among the specific training and extension needs for the fishery postharvest
industry in the region include the following:
Skills training on drying and semi-processing of seaweeds
Operation and maintenance of MCSTD
Product development training on fish preservation & processing techniques
Training of fisherfolks on proper storage of marine products
Transfer of fish processing techniques to extend the shelf-life of fish thereby
allowing a wider distribution of the products to where they are poorly accessible
like hands-on training, seminar-workshop and lecture-demonstrations
III. Support Policies and Programs
Provision of marketing support
Marketing assistance to municipal fishermen will be strengthened through
cooperatives and processors to effect marketing linkages, joint ventures and other
cooperative fishing activities. Measures shall be undertaken to assist municipal
and commercial fishery operators avail of credit, explore markets and obtain
market information.
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Government shall provide assistance to the industry to enable key players to
increase value added i.e. fish processing ventures. Information on agribusiness
investment possibilities, credit windows, market promotion and development
assistance shall also be provided. More private sector involvement in production,
processing and marketing shall be encouraged.
Encourage development of enterprise and other livelihood/IGP projects
Establishment of market linkages even linkages to international markets
through market matching services and marketing assistance
Policy agenda and preparation of plans and profiles/comprehensive
municipal surveys to be integrated in the provinces/ region
Provision of credit and technical assistance
Credit support and other forms of financial assistance shall likewise be
provided both to municipal and commercial fishing operators. Low interest capital
shall enable poor fisherfolk to acquire appropriate fishing gears. Procedures of
existing credit windows will be studied to identify and overcome problems
encountered in their implementation. Transparent and efficient procedures for
accessing to rural credit and community-based resource management programs
shall be implemented.
Municipal fisherfolk shall be organized, while those that already exist shall
be strengthened. This will facilitate conduct of trainings and delivery of other
forms of assistance. Linkages shall be established between fishing organizations,
line agencies, the LGUs and non-government organizations. Fishing organizations
will be assisted in the preparation of feasibility studies, formulation of coastal
zone development programs, and identification of projects. They shall also be
involved in the conduct of fishery research.
Strengthening of R&D, research utilization and adoption
Concerned agencies shall seek local and external funds to finance R&D
activities. Tie-ups with the academic and research institutions shall be
strengthened to tap their pool of competent personnel. Established research
stations and units in the region shall be strengthened to respond to the growing
demand for R&D projects. Research utilization, adoption of viable research
findings shall be encouraged.
A strong research and development will provide avenues and better
opportunities for the application of technologies developed in other areas. The
focus is to verify and refine technologies on farm, which then can lead to the
development of appropriate technology in the province. This will likewise address
the issues and problems on marketing and postharvest product development, value
adding and packaging. Among the specific R&D needs for the fishery postharvest
industry in the region include the following:
Drying and semi-processing of seaweeds to suit with strict quality
regulations and standards
Suitability testing of MCSTD to various fishery products
Development of a low-cost and locally available drying equipment for
various fishery products
Better handling and packaging materials for semi-processed and processed
fishery products
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Availability of reliable database through development of fisheries
information system (on-line)
Conduct of research and community social mobilization
Strengthening of regulatory functions of LGUs
Concerned government agencies shall assist LGUs in institutionalizing
devolved regulatory functions. Imposing stiff penalties, ensuring strict compliance
with fishery laws, intensifying Bantay-dagat operations, and other related
programs shall be given priority.
The needed equipment and logistics may have to be provided by the national
government considering the financial constraints faced by LGUs. Collaborative
efforts of agencies, LGUs and the private sector should look into the possibility of
granting of fishery-related permits which already take into consideration the
environmental implications of proposed activities.
Establishment of fish catch and monitoring system in the municipalities
Protection of conservations of coastal resources
Operation of regional fisheries information management center
Institutionalization of ISO, GMP, SSOP and HACCP
Compliance to HACCP and International standards (HALAL), etc
Information campaign on fishery and marine laws and regulations
(intensification of regulatory services) and sustainable fishing, market
development linkages (local and foreign)