TIGAON CAMARINES SUR. The Department of Agriculture Bicol turned over to the local government of this municipality a Rice Processing Center and Cacao Processing Facilities at Barangay Caraycayon on October 19, 2018. At least 100 stakeholders from this municipality witnessed the Blessing and Inauguration of the said facilities.
The Rice Processing Center which costs P6.4 million will be operational after a week and is expected to ease farmers woes on post harvest loses said Municipal Agriculturist Leah Beltran. All they have to do is to enlist for scheduled booking and pay for a minimal processing fee she said.
On the other hand , the Cacao Processing facilities worth 3.5 million include cacao grinder, cacao dehuller, roaster, kneader & mixer, working table, multi commodity solar dryer , fermentation box remover mill and cacao refining machine. A fermentation center worth 1 million was also constructed adjacent to the processing center. The provision of these facilities will benefit the cacao farmers and processors of Tigaon which is one of the major producers of cacao in Camarines Sur.
According to Mayor Pamela Rinah Fuentebella who led the blessing and inauguration , her municipality will also focus on cacao production and processing to contribute to the booming industry of the said high value crop. She extended her gratitude to the DA and the Sanguniang Bayan for the cooperation and support. She is positive that a business center will soon rise as soon as the construction of the NFA warehouse is completed.
Meanwhile Lorenzo Alvina, Regional Corn Program Coordinator who represented DA Regional Executive Director Elena de los Santos commended the Local Government for the realization of the project and full support to agriculture innovations particularly in terms of mechanization. He said that the facilities will be of great help to farmers to improve the value adding quality of the commodity. “Gabos yaon na dgdi, pagtanom, pag-ani, pagbu-nag” (all are packaged here, from planting to postharvest) he quoted.
Other guests present were: Allan Sabaybay, NFA Cam Sur Provincial Manager, Joel Trinidad, chairman Economic Resource Agricultural Cooperative (ERA), Jimmy Cordero, Municipal Agriculture & Fishery Council Chairperson, other DA technical staff , municipal and barangay officials. (B. Nunez)