The Department of Agriculture (DA) CALABARZON, through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), delivered the much-needed farm machinery to the Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative (MTAMC) and the Tanauan Organic and Natural Farmers’ Association Incorporated (TONFA).

The interventions include a pulper finisher and autoclave sterilizer to be used for the Tanauan Mango Trading and Processing enterprise subproject of MTAMC. This will help them process mango juice and other fruit juices from locally-grown fruits in Tanauan.

Maricar Maranan, president of MTAMC, shared her deep appreciation for these interventions. She said that their cooperative is really fortunate to be one of the recipients of PRDP. “These brand-new pulp finisher and autoclave sterilizer from the DA offer us a wide range of benefits. This will greatly help the farmers in our cooperative because we can now grow more fruit by-products, which will result to higher income,” she said.

In addition, TONFA received a vacuum fryer for its Tanauan City Banana Trading and Processing enterprise subproject. This would make a major contribution to the manufacturing of vacuum fried banana chips and other vacuum fried products made from other vegetables.

The physical accomplishment of MTAMC’s enterprise is currently at 96% while 40% for TONFA. Aside from goods and equipment, the construction of processing facilities are also included for their ventures. The two enterprises will support 135 Tanauan residents. In addition to PRDP, these are also being supported by the Tanauan city local government through the Office of City Agriculturist.

These interventions are part of the Enterprise Development (I-REAP) component of the PRDP. It aims to enable agriculture- and aquaculture-based organizations like MTAMC and TONFA to expand their businesses through necessary equipment, facilities, and capability-building to provide higher production and higher income. # (Mark Angelo Perez, DA CALABARZON RAFIS)

City Agriculturist Renato Cunanan together with his staff delivered to the members of Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative the pulp finishers and autoclave sterilizer for their enterprise.

Members of the Tanauan Organic and Natural Farmers’ Association Incorporated assess the delivered vacuum fryer for the banana chips enterprise. Staff of the Office of City Agriculturist in Tanauan City also look.