Two farmer organizations from the Province of Pangasinan received the production inputs and machinery components of their approved tomato enterprises from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) during an awarding ceremony at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan on November 7, 2018.

Tugui Grande Farm Produce Farmer’s Association (Tugui Grande) from Bani, Pangasinan and Urdaneta City Organic Farming, Rice, Corn Vegetable Growers Association, Inc. (Urdaneta City Growers) from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan both proposed for tomato enterprises which were approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) on November 14, 2017.

The Tugui Grande is the proponent of the Salad Tomato Contract Farming and Support Service Facility Enterprise worth PhpP7,190,175.00. Tugui Grande has been supplying salad tomato to Jollibee Foods Corporation prior to its participation in the PRDP.  Through the PRDP tomato enterprise, Tugui Grande aims to expand the scope of its business.

During the awarding ceremony, Tugui Grande received the production inputs and machinery components of its tomato enterprise which include tomato seeds (Escudero and Mountain), tractor, cultivators, sprayers, pump engines and grass cutters amounting to Php1,798,500. Tugui Grande is yet to receive plastic crates, seedling tray, weighing scales, the award of trading capital amounting to Php879,900, and the construction of a trading post facility worth Php2,892,000 to complete the components of its tomato enterprise.

The Urdaneta City Growers operates a trading post at the frequented Bagsakan Market in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. It is the proponent of the Tomato Production, Consolidation and Trading Enterprise worth Php4,739,590. Through its enterprise under the PRDP, the Urdaneta City Growers hope to stabilize the price of tomatoes in the market.

The Urdaneta City Growers received 175 cans of tomato seeds worth Php428,750 and 105 packs of soil medium worth Php136,500 during the awarding ceremony. The Association is awaiting the award of the other components of its tomato enterprise such as seedling trays, hose, plastic crates, plastic pallets and the procurement of a delivery truck worth Php2,150,000.

Pangasinan Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III led the awarding ceremony and reminded the farmers to take care of themselves, especially after the successive typhoons hitting Pangasinan. “Ang lakas ninyo ang lakas ng inyong pamilya,” Governor Espino reminded the farmers.

Meanwhile, Regional Technical Director for Operations Erlinda F. Manipon gave emphasis on the sustainability of the enterprises during the awarding ceremony. She reminded the farmers that PRDP enterprises should continue to operate after the end of the project. RTD Manipon also inspired other farmer groups attending the awarding ceremony to propose under the PRDP.

The Province of Pangasinan has the biggest share of enterprise subprojects in Ilocos Region under the PRDP. It bagged forty-seven percent (47%) or 36 enterprise subjects in Ilocos Region worth Php59.08 million. #Ilocos InfoACE