Three new enterprise subprojects in the MIMAROPA Region were the subject of the technical review that was recently conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) South Luzon Cluster.

The technical review was a requirement to refine certain aspects of a proposal before it undergoes presentation in the MIMAROPA project advisory board for approval.

One of the reviewed enterprises was the Banana Production, Processing and Marketing Facility of the Aborlan Rainbow Marketing Cooperative in the Municipality of Aborlan, Palawan.

This enterprise will support the production, trading, and processing aspects of the banana industry of the province. The cooperative will have its own communal farm of banana saba, the harvest of which will either be marketed locally or processed into vacuum fried banana chips using vacuum frying technology.

Aside from creating employment opportunities and increasing the income of its members, the cooperative also aims to encourage other farmers to plant banana saba or expand their existing plantations.

Another enterprise reviewed during the activity was the Romblon Seaweeds Production and Processing proposed by the Sta. Maria Food Processors Association. The association’s goal is to further develop the seaweed farming practices and post-harvest technologies in the province.

By addressing issues such as the low price of raw dried seaweeds (RDS), limited access to input supply like good quality seedlings, and lack of post-harvest facilities, seaweed farmers will have an opportunity to enhance the quality of their production and earn higher earnings.

In the Municipality of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, the proposed enterprise was the Cassava Production, Processing and Marketing of the Armaca Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

Cassava is considered as a staple food of the Mangyan Tribes but commercially, these are also sold at the local market for consumption or industrial purposes. With the assistance of the DA-PRDP, the primary goal of the Armaca group is to produce cassava starch through the processing and marketing facility that they have proposed.

They aim to produce high quality products to provide value adding opportunities to its farmer-members and help them earn a more considerable income to improve their lives. – Leira Vic Colongon, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit

The PRDP consultants assist project proponents in ensuring that their proposals are within PRDP’s qualifications and standards.