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

NEWS STORIES

Luzon-wide confab on cold chain program held
by Erwin S. Embuscado (June 10, 2009)
BAGUIO CITY- Farmers organization and local government units who are recipients of facilities under the national cold chain program convened to address the issues and concerns on the operationalization of these equipment at the Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza last June 4-5, 2009 in this city.

The participants of the conference were recipients of cold storage facilities, refrigerated trucks, pre-cooling and packaging stations and the Bagsakan center operators in Luzon.

The cold chain system is the refrigerated handling, storage, and transport operation of high-value crops from the farm to the market. It provides an appropriate temperature for the perishable crops to prolong the shelf life of the farmers` harvests thereby increasing their profit and providing good quality vegetables for the consumers.

Ricardo L. Cachuela, BPRE executive director, said that he is expecting that the conference will produce a road map for the successful implementation of the program for the new recipients of the facilities.

Cachuela also encouraged the participants to let the organizers of the conference know if there are facilities that need to be replaced or requiring additional unit in their respective areas during the two-day conference.

Meanwhile, Benguet Governor Nestor B. Fongwan said he welcomed such activity because it is important for the Benguet farmers. According to the governor, the farmers need to add value to their produce for them to compete in the global market.

He also said that with the help of the cold chain facilities it will reduce the middlemen transactions. He cited a case of a private businessman who bought lettuce at the Trading Post in La Trinidad, Benguet at P10. When he processed and packaged the lettuce, he sold it at P90.

"If farmers can process their own harvest, the P80 difference will go to the farmers. We are talking about the high end market here and not the traditional market. Value addition is the name of the game", Fongwan added.

On the other hand, Engr. Raul R. Paz, national cold chain program director said that the rule of thumb in preserving the quality of the vegetables is to lower the temperature two hours after harvest and maintain the temperature until it reaches the market. Keeping the products on a low temperature right after harvesting is essential to preserve its quality.

During the conference, the invited resource speakers who shared their experiences were Ms. Rosemarie L. Bestre of Gardenline Vegetables, Ms. Shellanie Molitas of Benguet Cold Chain Project, Mr. Ariel Mañalac, administrator of the Sentrong Pamilihan ng Produktong Agrikultura ng Quezon (SPPAQ) and Mr. Chito Maceda of Alpha Diversified Inc.

An open forum was also conducted to address the issues and concerns of the recipients.

Among the participants of the said conference include Mayors Concepcion Balao of Atok, Manalo Galuten of Mankayan, Benito Siadto of Kibungan, and Ruben Paoad of Tublay. It was also graced by Benguet Vice Governor Crecensio Pacalso.

BPRE is the government`s forefront in the implementation of the national cold chain program.