ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) — Officials of the Department of Agriculture and the local government of Aritao have opened a Vegetable Processing Center to address the increasing demand for processed vegetable products in Cagayan Valley.

The Pak Gulay Food Processing Facility, which was funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research, was established at a demonstration farm in barangay Darapidap here for the Kaagapay ng mga Magsasaka, Mangangalakal at Eksperto sa Pagpoproseso ng Nueva Vizcaya Producers’ Cooperative.

The KMMEPNVPC’s research and development project called "Market Assessment and Refinement of PakGulay Food Products towards Market Expansion’ paved the way for the establishment of their veggie processing facility.

The Pak Gulay Food Products of the KMMEPNVPC composed of Vacuum Fried Veggie Crunch and Ready to Cook Pinakbet were also launched.

The Veggie Crunch is a healthy alternative to junk food and was made to make vegetables more appealing for children to eat while the ready-to-cook pinakbet was made for the urban population looking for a quick and healthy vegetable meal.

"This project facilitated the overall improvement and refinement of Pak Gulay into market-ready food products, including the provision of the vacuum-fryer machine required for the production of these food products,” Rheina De Guzman, KMMEPNVPC President, said.

She said the AgriBusiness and Developed Processed Products Technology Business Incubator Program assisted her in the development and adoption of the Pak Gulay Food Products.

Mayor Remelina Peros-Galam vowed to fully support the livelihood organization, particularly on various agricultural development initiatives for farmers.

DA officials also expressed optimism for the vegetable processing project which will encourage the active participation of processors, farmers, and cooperatives associations in  promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering economic growth within the region. (ALM/BME/PIA NVizcaya)