Increasing farmer’s access to Department of Agriculture’s (DA) services is one of the major objectives of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). In the Ilocos Region, this objective is sustained by the continuous and active involvement of the recipients in the regular programs of the Department after receiving livelihood/enterprise subprojects from the PRDP.

On 28-30 June 2019, three (3) recipients of the Investments on Rural Enterprises for Agri-Fishery Productivity (I-REAP) participated in theAgribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (ASPIRE) held at Robinson’s Place, Calasiao, Pangasinan.  They are the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators Multi-purpose Cooperative from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; the Mamarlao Multi-purpose Cooperative from San Carlos City, Pangasinan; and the Urdaneta City Organic Farming, Rice, Corn, Vegetable Growers Association, Inc. from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

The Bacarra Zanjera Irrigator’s MPC showcased its garlic produce during the exposition and sold garlic for Php180.00 per kilogram. The Cooperative received a Php1.3-million Corn and Livestock Integration Trading Enterprise, a Small Livelihood Project (SLP) from the PRDP in 2017. Given the successful operation of its SLP, the Bacarra Zajera Cooperative again proposed a Php23-million garlic enterprise which was issued a No Objection Letter on June 17, 2019.

The Urdaneta City Organic Farming, Rice, Corn, Vegetable Growers Association Inc., likewise, sold fresh lowland vegetables, vaccum-packed rice, and mushroom chips during the exposition. The Association received a Php4.7-million Tomato Production, Consolidation, and Trading Enterprise from the PRDP in 2018. Its enterprise includes the construction of a trading post facility in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

The Mamarlao Multi-purpose Cooperative focused on selling mushroom which was a sold-out during the exposition. Aside from mushroom chips, the Cooperative also sold mushroom bagoong, mushroom empanada, and mushroom fruit bags. The Mamarlao MPC received a Farm Mechanization Service Facility including seven (7) units of power tiller from the PRDP in 2017.

The ASPIRE is a convergence program of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the DA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and other stakeholders to provide bigger promotions and marketing opportunities to farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Noong una po, tayo po ay nagpopromote lang ng ating mga products sa palengke or diyan sa tabi-tabi But now, ang ASPIRE po ay dinala na po kayo dito sa mall. So, ang ating market po ay mas level up. Makikilala na rin po sa mall ang ating mga products.” AMAD Chief Wilhelmina P. Castañeda said during the opening of the Regional ASPIRE relative to this year’s APIRE theme which is “Sustainable Agri-business Through Smart Promotion and Investment.”

Aside from an opportunity to promote and market their products, exhibitors during the Regional ASPIRE also received lectures on Micro-financing, Market Linkage/Matching, Investment Concepts for various crops, Tariff Classifications for Agricultural Products, Bureau of Plant and Industry export Protocols and Requirements, and PhilGAP Guidelines. (Ilocos InfoACE)

Lowland vegetable booth of the Urdaneta City Organic Farming, Rice, Corn, Vegetable Growers Association, Inc.

Mushroom Booth of the Mamarlao Multi-Purpose Cooperative

ASPIRE 2019 in Ilocos Region was held at Robinson’s Place Calasiao, Pangasinan from June 28-30, 2019.