The operation of the Potato Tuberlets Production and Marketing Enterprise of the SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet is expected to be in full swing, with the completion of their PhP4.1 million worth greenhouse with storage that was officially turned over on January 11, 2022.
 
Implemented under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Municipal Local Government of La Trinidad, the enterprise aims to produce clean and quality potato planting materials and make it accessible to farmers.
 
In his message, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo K. Salda said that farmers need not to rely on imported potato planting materials because of the development of these facilities.
 
“Once you start operating your business, your focus should not solely be on the financial aspect but the quality service that you are going to give to the beneficiaries,” added Mayor Salda.
 
Mayor Salda also commended everyone who took part in the completion of the subproject.
Aside from the greenhouse structure, several farm equipment, supplies, a delivery truck, and a working capital were earlier turned over to the cooperative in March 2021. The cooperative also entered into an agreement with the Northern Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) of the Benguet State University (BSU) for a technology transfer project on the propagation of quality planting materials.
 
DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray also expressed her compliments to the MLGU and to the SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet for their efforts, patience, and sacrifices, which led to the completion of the enterprise subproject.
 
She further emphasized the importance of partnership with key stakeholders in achieving the ultimate goal of their enterprise, as she shared that the DA has several other programs/services of which the cooperative can avail.
 
Likewise, DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Gaston B. Cael challenged the cooperative to review their Business Plan, as they are now going to fully operate their enterprise subproject.
 
“You carefully planned for this enterprise subproject, you developed your business plan; and the challenge now is for you to reach your objectives in actual,” Engr. Cael expressed.
 
On behalf of the cooperative, BOD Chair Freddie Langpaoen expressed his gratefulness to the DA-PRDP, the MLGU, the contractor, and the members of the cooperative, for their contributions from the preparation stage up to the approval and implementation. He also thanked the BSU-NPRCRTC for providing the necessary technical assistance for this enterprise.
 
“We will strive to implement this enterprise for it to flourish and ultimately benefit everyone,” said Langpaoen.
 
The PhP12.28 million-worth Potato Tuberlets Production and Marketing Enterprise subproject of the SRT Cooperative is shared by the World Bank (60% loan proceeds), the national government through the DA (20%), the municipal local government of La Trinidad (20%), and another 20 percent PG equity (in cash/kind).// Elvy T. Estacio (DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR)