After a rigorous deliberation, the subproject entitled “Onion Post-Harvest Services, Consolidation, and Marketing Enterprise” of the Bantug Agricultural Multi-Purpose Cooperative received an approval from the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) on September 16, 2022 in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

DA-PRDP Regional Project Director Dr. Eduardo Lapuz Jr., who is also the Chairman of the regional approving body, congratulated the proponent group and the local government unit representatives from Talavera, Nueva Ecija for this subproject includes the construction of the first onion cold storage in the said town with a capacity of 60,000 27-kilogram bags. It generally aims to provide accessible services to its over 600 farmer members at a lower cost and is expected to generate additional employment for 46 persons.

The proposed onion cold storage facility costs almost P100 million which will be funded by DA-PRDP. On the other hand, proponent group (PG) equity amounting to almost P25 million will cover other components such as the 4,000sqm land, working and trading capital, and other equipment, bringing the total subproject cost to P124,994,989.53.

The subproject will contribute in addressing the constraints identified in the value chain analysis of onion which are the lack of access to storage and post-harvest facilities. It will provide the farmers with a larger share of the product’s value by allowing the farmers to store their onions to be able to sell at an optimal price. 

Other members of the RPAB present were DA Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chairman Engr. Francisco A. Hernandez, Department of Trade and Industry Nueva Ecija OIC –Provincial Director Dr. Richard Simangan, Department of Interior and Local Government Region 3 Engr. Russell Benedict P. Gotiangco, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Mr. Laudemir S. Salac.

RPAB members signed a resolution for the approval of the subproject and shall be endorsed to the DA-PRDP Project Support Office and National Project Coordination Office for PRDP funding. (Ram Bill Bautista, InfoACE – RPCO 3)