by Joan Dapidap, RPCO1 Writer

The Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday awarded to the Aramal-Tocok Federation of Free Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative the P14.9 million storage facility in support to the production, consolidation, and marketing of peanut in the municipality of San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Funded through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the proposal was approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board in June 2022 and completed construction in the same month this year.

“Sana magamit natin ang facility natin na ito sa tamang paraan para lalong umangat ang kabuhayan at kita ng farmer,” said Secretary Tiu in his speech. 

(I hope we can use this facility in the right way so that farmers will have a better livelihood and increase their income.)

The multi-million facility includes hauling vehicles, agricultural goods, and trading capital. 

“Gawin natin ang farming na bankable para sustainable ang farming. Meaning kapag bankable, dapat kumita ang farmer. Katulad ng mga ganitong facility, siguradong makakatulong ito,” he added. 

(Let’s make farming bankable so that farming can become sustainable. Meaning, the farmer must make a profit. Like these facilities, this will surely help.)

Through this intervention, the cooperative will handle contract growing of unshelled peanuts and provide mechanization services. 

The cooperative will also offer in-kind credit for planting materials, fertilizers, and a production loan of PhP 14,050 per hectare for labor costs. Input costs will be 5% lower than local prices, and the cash loan will not have an interest but a 3% processing will be required. 

Dry unshelled peanut will be purchased from the farmers with a premium price of Php 45.00 per kilo in year 1 and have an average increase of Php 6.00 annually. During this period, a truck will haul the produce from designated pick-up points. 

Peanut growers are therefore expected to increase their income by 40% annually.