MONCADA, TARLAC – Sapang Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative finally receives the Processing Center and Storage Facility with solar drier in an inauguration and blessing ceremony held in March 22, 2018.

The 512-square meter infrastructure is funded and implemented by Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to support the production of dried sweet potato chips.

The project will benefit 179 farmer-members of the Sapang Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The project aims to increase the profit of the farmer-beneficiaries through higher production of sweet potato chips that are mainly sold to San Miguel Food, Inc.

Various post-harvest activities such as; consolidating, chipping, drying, and storing of dried sweet potato chips will be held in the site. Chipping machinery and a mechanical dryer that can be used as an alternative to solar drying in the rainy season is also provided.

In his message RPCO I-SUPPORT Component Head Gil G. David expressed his hopes for the infrastructure to benefit not only the Sapang Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative members but also other sweet potato farmers especially in the rainy seasons. (Kayla Lingad, RPCO3 InfoACE)