A mango processing facility of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (MTAMC) in Brgy. Janopol Oriental, Tanauan City, Batangas began its operations. This is part of the Tanauan City Mango Trading and Processing Enterprise subproject, which aims to increase the income of local mango farmers through value-adding activities such as processing.

The 90-square-meter facility will be used to house the operations of processing machineries, such as a pulper finisher, steam jacketed kettle, refractometer, autoclave sterilizer, storage freezer, cooler, etc. Also provided under the subproject is a truck which will be used to haul raw materials for processing and to transport the processed products to the market.

Through these interventions, members of the MTAMC target to make a gross sale of PhP1.58 million in the first year of their operations. Meanwhile, they also target to increase their income by 36%, which will further encourage them to sustain mango production in their locality.

PRDP 4A Deputy Project Director Engr. Redelliza Gruezo, on behalf of PRDP 4A Project Director Engr. Marcos Aves, Sr., and DA-4A Regional Executive Director Milo Delos Reyes, commended the MTAMC and the local government of Tanauan City for successfully fulfilling the enterprise subproject through their active collaboration and coordination with the PRDP 4A. She assured the MTAMC that the PRDP 4A will continue to support them in sustaining the operations of their enterprise.

Among the machineries provided to the MTAMC under the subproject are a pulper finisher, steam jacketed kettle, refractometer, autoclave sterilizer, storage freezer, cooler, etc. (Photo from Tanauan City Local Government)

By increasing the value of mango through processing, it is expected from the subproject that it will pave the way for mango farmers to increase their production and income. (Photo from Tanauan City Local Government)

DA-PRDP RPCO CALABARZON Deputy Project Director Redelliza Gruezo and I-REAP component head Editha Salvosa join the Tanauan City LGU and the MTAMC in celebrating the opening of the mango processing facility in the locality. (Photo from Tanauan City Local Government)

DA-PRDP RPCO CALABARZON Deputy Project Director Redelliza Gruezo commended the MTAMC and the local government of Tanauan City for their active collaboration and coordination with the PRDP 4A in implementing the project. (Photo from Tanauan City Local Government)