The SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet, the Proponent Group (PG) of an enterprise subproject under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) partnered with Benguet State University (BSU) for a technology transfer project on the propagation of quality planting materials.

“The techno-transfer project will help us produce quality potato planting materials in support to our enterprise subproject on potato tuberlets production and marketing,” said Marievic L. Palitog, SRT La Trinidad Coop Manager.

The partnership through BSU’s Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC), targets the transfer of at least 46,080 rooted stem cuttings to the SRT every month for 12 months that will be used for the production of potato tuberlets. This will be funded by the SRT cooperative through the working capital that was turned over to them for the implementation of their enterprise subproject.

“As part of the agreement, farmer-members of SRT La Trinidad Cooperative will also be trained on seed potato propagation and improved practices,” Palitog added.

Researchers and students from BSU will also be allowed to conduct instructional research, extension, and production studies on the status and development of the planting materials distributed to the farmer beneficiaries.

To date, SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet has already received the goods for their enterprise subproject (first tranche). However, the greenhouse component is yet to be completed.

According to Lorna E. Panyo, Business Development Officer of the PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR, the enterprise subproject is expected to be in full operation once the construction of the greenhouse with storage will be completed along with the installation of steel elevated seed beds and steel cabinets.

“Despite the stalled construction of the greenhouse due to compliance concerns, we are positive that the SRT Cooperative will be able to produce and distribute quality potato planting materials as per the main objective of their enterprise subproject,” said Panyo.

The P12.28 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 Taquio Estacio (DA-PRDP)