Processing center in Bulacan to boost ARBs’ production of food products
San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Agrarian reform beneficiary-members of Joyful Garden Farm Organic Farmers Association, Inc. in Bulacan province will soon reap the benefits of hassle-free manufacturing of food products with the rehabilitation of its processing center.
The facility aims to benefit farmer members in the processing and production of 4-in-1 noodles made from black, red, brown, and red organic blended rice. The raw materials are produced by 33 agrarian reform beneficiaries or ARBs consisting of 22 men and 11 women.
To accommodate growing demand, the organization sources out vegetables like malunggay, squash, and mushrooms from nearby farms in Nueva Ecija province.
The rehabilitation of the processing center which costs around P600,000 was made possible through the Department’s Village Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project. This includes the conduct of capacity development trainings for the ARBs.
The VLFED Project focuses on the establishment of sustainable and profitable enterprises and the facilitation of linkages to appropriate markets that will be beneficial to the ARBs, their organization and the community where they belong.
Other agencies involved in the Project includes DOST, DTI, DoT, the local government of San Ildefonso and TESDA.
“In behalf of the Joyful Garden Farm Organic Farmers Association, Inc., talagang kami ay sobrang blessed dahil talagang napili ninyo kami as one of the beneficiaries ng program kasi napakalaki talaga ng tulong na binigyan ninyo kami ng building para makapagset-up po kami ng produkto na kami mismo ang magsariling magpo-produce.” Jocelyn Reyes, chair of the organization, gladly shares.
According to her, the processing center will boost their production capacity and help establish good manufacturing practice.
DAR-Bulacan formally turned over the refurbished processing center to the organization on September 26, 2023 in Barangay Mataas na Parang. (chidette aira natinga & sherwin dela cruz)
