SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) – A farmers’ cooperative in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya will soon have a P500,000 food processing facility from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Agrarian Reform Program Officer Chita Bungubung said the newly-constructed Food Processing Center worth P500,000 will be turned over to the Bangaan Agriculture Cooperative (BAC) next week.
She said the facility is funded through the Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) program and supported by the Local Government Unit, which aims to establish sustainable and profitable businesses in local communities.
“VLFED promotes initiatives that strengthen small farmers and other community members, allowing them to participate in livelihood activities within the value chain and providing access to key markets and businesses,” Bungubung said.
Moreover, she said that the BAC, formerly the Bangaan Rural Workers Association, Inc., will benefit from the project by enhancing its capacity to process local products.
BAC is known for its main cacao-based products such as Polvoron and Tablea.
Bungubung said the new processing center will serve as a facility to improve and further develop the quality of their products through the modernization of their equipment and processes, which is expected to increase their production and enhance their competitiveness in the market.
“The facility will also help BAC in expanding their business and provide more opportunities for cooperative members and small farmers in their community,” she added. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)
