Capintalan, NUEVA ECIJA – In a bid to successfully connect farmers/producers to markets, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) is set to hold a Market Linkage Project that aims to link I-REAP enterprises to potential institutional buyers.

In the said project, I-REAP enterprise products and services are set to be featured through virtual streaming of their respective goods.

For Central Luzon, the Ginger Production, Processing and Marketing Enterprise of the Samahan ng Kababaihan ng Capintalan Multipurpose Cooperative (SKC-MPC) of Brgy. Capintalan of Nueva Ecija whose business involves small-scale ginger processing is selected to be featured in the upcoming virtual project.

The said enterprise focuses on the processing of ginger and turmeric into powder to produce instant ‘salabat’ and variants of turmeric teas to be traded and marketed.

In a brief interview with SKC-MPC Manager Carina Ortiz, she recalled that it was in 2001 when the cooperative was established and was composed mainly of 95 women from the indigenous community.

Ortiz cited agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in providing them with machineries in processing ginger and turmeric adding that the Department of Agriculture (DA) granted additional machines and working capital for the procurement of raw materials which generated livelihood for the members of the cooperative.

She also noted the cooperative was able to build a store through the help of the local government unit (LGU) that they were able to promote more of their products.

“We follow good manufacturing processes and quality assurance processes here. Also, our processing center is accredited and approved to operate by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA),” she added.

In addition, the SKC-MPC takes pride of the health benefits in drinking ginger and turmeric tea which is considered helpful for the body in fighting foreign invaders and boosting the immune system.

Some of the goods that are to be featured from the cooperative are Turmeric in three (3) variants: Turmeric with Honey, Turmeric with Guyabano, Turmeric with Lemon Grass, Pure Luyang Dilaw Turmeric Powder, Instant Salabat Ginger Brew, Ginger and Turmeric Brew and other locally produced products.

Certainly, the DA-PRDP through the Market Linkage Project plays a significant role in developing a sustainable relationship that has strong potential benefits of creating links between farmers and consumers. (MA. REINA LEN G. LUNA, RPCO3 InfoACE)