Province steps up plans for highland veggie proj

The Provincial Core Planning Team (PCPT) of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) with the assistance of the Regional Core Planning Team (RCPT) incorporates the inputs from the stakeholders during the Highland Vegetables Stakeholders Consultation and Workshop last Thursday held at the Reyna’s The Haven and Gardens, New Calceta Street, Cogon, Tagbilaran City to finalize the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) on Highland Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage and lettuce) to be cultivated to the identified suitable areas in the towns of Duero, Jagna, Guindulman, Sierra-Bullones and Pilar.
Evelyn Maligsa from IPLAN – (PCPT) said PCIP is important because this will be the basis for the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) I-BUILD and I-REAP in selecting interventions sub-project for funding.
Maligsa in the workshop on the enhancement of the PCIP matrix to the stakeholders comprised with the input suppliers, growers, retailers, wholesalers/traders, enablers, support services staff (technicians, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist personnel, Provincial Development Office personnel, Regional Project Coordinating Office Staff) presented the earlier identified key gaps/constraints and the brief description of potential intervention of the PCIP.
Constraints earlier identified to include the poor or low quality of planting materials, high cost of farm inputs, inadequate farm equipment, inadequate skills and knowledge to proper farming practices, improper product handling result to losses, difficulty in transporting products from farm areas to trading centers, lack of transportation that hastens the spoilage resulting to low buying price, limited technical support and lack of personnel, farmers lack access of current price trends and other market information, weak industry leadership from input supply to trading and limited number of cooperative specific to highland vegetables.
She said all the identified gaps/constraints have the corresponding interventions given.
Maligsa explained by using scientific tool in the prioritization of commodity in region 7 it came out that hyland vegetables is one of the top commodities which has been included in the prioritization of programs to be funded under the PRDD.
She added after prioritizing the commodities, the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) were conducted to come up with the draft of PCIP.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas, IPLAN Component Head presented the draft of the PCIP to the stakeholders during the consultation and workshop.
Pamugas explained that PRDP is a six-year program designed to establish an inclusive and market-oriented agri-fishery sector through strategic investments in priority commodity value chains. Externally, it will focus on expanding market access and improving competitiveness.
He further explained that PRDP will partner with LGUs and the private sector in providing infrastructure, facilities technology, and information that will raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside.
Pamugas emphasized that PCIP also is a strategic plan that rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain of commodities that are significant to the province and that will contribute to the national goals of the agriculture and fishery sectors. It is a three-year rolling consensus between the DA and PLGU based on the value chain analysis of the commodities concluded with strong participation of the various stakeholders in the chain.
Maligsa said if the funding agencies of the PRDP would be convinced on the potential interventions given to the identified gaps they will finance the projects.
She stressed that this endeavors would go through many processes, but she said no matter how seemingly overwhelming the odds are, the province must take the steps progressively toward the desired end.
Petronila A. Corpuz, DA-R7, IPLAN Component Head said that Bohol is the first in Region 7 to already have the PCIP of the top priority commodities in Central Visayas for seaweeds, native chicken and the highland vegetables.
In the open forum, Corpuz answered queries from stakeholders.
In the preliminary program, Peter Rose Retutal, head of the Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit – Bohol welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of the program.
Retutal said this is timely, taking advantage the growth in tourism and agricultural industry in Bohol.
Edsel Quismundo, Planning Officer-RPCO 7 congratulated the province of Bohol for being aggressive in this endeavor.
He also asked the Boholanos to be more supportive in the plans and programs of the government.
With this development, the quest of the PGBh for the province to be self-sufficient on vegetable supply would be rationalized. (Atoy Cosap)