Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

BPRE turns over another agricultural tramline
by Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy (February 28, 2005)
The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) inaugurated and turned over another agricultural tramline to vegetable growers in Buguias, Benguet in April 2005.
Other agricultural tramlines were already established in Kabayan and Atok, Benguet.

Igorot farmers belonging to the Kankanaey tribal group committed to unite themselves as an offshoot of a technology intervention spearheaded by BPRE.

An agricultural tramline system was introduced to the West Poblacion Farmers# Association in Buguias, Benguet as a new way of handling their vegetable produce with more efficiency and ease. The association will manage the tramline which will provide services to its members by hauling farm inputs and vegetable produce from the terraced gardens to the fields.

Prior to the turn-over, farmer-leaders and members gathered for three days to learn institution building from BPRE experts. The training course was specially crafted to demonstrate the concepts of leadership, unity, cooperation and commitment, all pre-disposing factors to successful organizations.

Adult learning methodologies were employed to engage the interest and participation of the highland farmers. Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy, Chief Science Research Specialist of the Technology and Promotion and Extension Division, led a group of Subject matter specialists coming from BPRE and Benguet State University in the conduct of the training.

As the farmers experienced the concepts of shared leadership, organization cohesiveness, members' cooperation and uncompromising commitment at the culmination of the training on institution building and postharvest handling of vegetables., they have agreed among themselves to apply the principles learned to their newly reconstituted association.

A training of operators on the operation and maintenance of the tramline systems was also conducted. It was supervised by Engr. Gaston Cael, an Agricultural engineer from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit- Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFU-CAR).

The turn-over ceremonies of the agricultural tramline was also done coinciding with the conduct of the training course. The inauguration and turn-over ceremonies were attended by dignitaries coming from the collaborators of the project. BPRE Executive Director Ricardo L. Cachuela represented Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup. Dr. Elizabeth Versola, DA-CAR Technical Director, Mrs. Olga Dangwa, wife of Rep. Samuel Dangwa, Atty. Agapito Bolislis and Buguias Mayor Tomas Palileng graced the occasion.