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

SUCCESS STORIES

Alion Kapit-Bisig sa Kaunlararan SEA-K Association and the Cashew Nut Sheller and Oven
by (July 16, 2012)
The Alion Kapit-Bisig sa Kaunlaran SEA-K Association is a women’s group composed of 25 members. It is based in Alion, Mariveles, Bataan. The group produces roasted whole and split cashew kernels and other processed products like cashew butter, cashew nuts and cashew prunes. The group is led by Mrs. Elizabeth Paglinawan.

Mrs. Paglinawan said that because of the cashew processing, members of the association have employment and they have money for the education of their children. She is hoping that brighter future awaits the group.


The Alion Kapit-Bisig SEA-K Association uses the PHilMech cashew nut sheller and the charcoal fired cabinet oven. Said Mrs. Paglinawan, “Ang mga teknolohiya ng PHilMech ay kapaki-pakinabang sa amin lalo na sa pagproseso ng kasuy. Naniniwala ako na kung wala ang mga teknolohiyang ito, hindi kami magkakaroon ng mas mabuti at mas maraming gawa at mas mabilis na produksyon.” (The PHilMech technologies are very useful to us especially in cashew processing.I believe that without these technologies, we would not have better and faster production)


Last year, the association generated a net income of P144, 823 from the 870 pails of cashew nuts they processed. This has been a steady increase in income since their start of operation in May 1996.


For all their blessings, Mrs. Paglinawan has so much to thank for from the agencies of the government, to wit: the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the packaging and marketing of their products; the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the livelihood grant; and the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) for the postharvest technologies specifically the PHilMech cashew nut sheller and the cashew oven.