Sagñay, Camarines Sur — The chili-based products of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) who are members of the Buracan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BFACoop) are expected to experience a significant increase in demand following the launch of the Village-Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project in the area.

Led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the project brings together support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Local Government of Sagñay and the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) through a Memorandum of Agreement signed during the launch.

The project aims to upgrade BFACoop’s production of chili-based products — such as their well-loved Peri Sauce, chili-garlic oil, and other condiments — by enhancing processing facilities, improving product quality and expanding market access.

“This initiative is more than just financial assistance. It’s a full package of development support,” said Renato C. Bequillo, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO). “We want to help BFACoop grow its enterprise, build a stronger brand, and reach more customers.”

DAR has committed to allocate P1.05 million to upgrade BFACoop’s processing center and an additional P370,000 for capacity-building and marketing support until 2026. This includes P230,000 worth of new kitchen tools and equipment, with Sagñay LGU contributing P75,000 for labor.

Through VLFED, ARB members of BFACoop will gain access to post-harvest facilities, technical training, business mentoring and marketing support. These improvements aim to increase productivity, product quality and profitability — leading to more sustainable incomes for local farmers.

Moreover, DOST will provide innovation and technical assistance, DTI will support branding and packaging, and BISCAST will offer entrepreneurship and management training through its ExCEL Program.

Aiza B. Mendez, DAR Chief of Support Services, described the project as a “major step” in empowering the ARBs. She expressed confidence that BFACoop’s growing product line — including sriracha, chili-basil seasoning and spicy tomato salsa — will soon gain wider recognition in both local and national markets.

Key signatories of the agreement included Sagñay Mayor John Vincent B. Fuentebella, DTI Provincial Director Jay Percival S. Ablan, DOST Provincial Director Patrocinio N. Felizminio and BISCAST OIC-President Dr. Deanna C. Regnim. (By: Pinky Roque with contributions from DAR Camarines Sur)

Produkto ng Sili ng mga Magsasaka, Pinalakas sa Pamamagitan ng Proyektong VLFED

Sagñay, Camarines Sur — Mas lalawak na ang produksyon at pagbebenta ng mga produktong gawa sa sili ng Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries(ARBs) na miyembro ng Buracan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BFACoop) dahil sa inilunsad na Village-Level Farm-Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project sa bayang ito.

Ang proyekto ay pinangunahan ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), katuwang ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pamahalaang Lokal ng Sagñay at Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST). Pormal na nilagdaan ng mga ahensya ang kasunduan sa araw ng paglulunsad.

Layunin ng proyekto na mapahusay ang paggawa ng mga produkto ng BFACoop tulad ng Peri Sauce, chili-garlic oil, at iba pang maanghang na sawsawan. Tutulong ang proyekto na maisaayos ang kanilang pasilidad, mapataas ang kalidad ng produkto, at mas mapalawak ang merkado nito.

“Ito ay hindi lang basta tulong-pinansyal. Isa itong buong suporta para sa pag-unlad ng kabuhayan,” ani Renato C. Bequillo, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) ng DAR. “Layunin naming mapalago ang negosyo ng BFACoop, mapalakas ang tatak ng produkto, at makakuha ng mas maraming suki.”

Nangako ang DAR na magkakaloob ng Php 1.05 milyon para ayusin ang processing center ng BFACoop, at karagdagang Php 370,000 para sa mga pagsasanay at suporta sa marketing hanggang 2026. Kabilang dito ang Php 230,000 para sa mga bagong kagamitan sa kusina, habang ang LGU-Sagñay ay magbibigay ng Php 75,000 para sa sahod ng mga manggagawa.

Sa pamamagitan ng VLFED, magkakaroon ang mga kasaping ARB ng BFACoop ng access sa mga pasilidad pagkatapos ng ani, mga teknikal na pagsasanay, tulong sa negosyo at marketing support. Inaasahang makakatulong ito para tumaas ang kita, maging mas maayos ang kalidad ng produkto at mas tumibay ang kanilang kabuhayan.

Samantala, ang DOST ay inaasahang magbibigay ng makabago at teknikal na tulong, ang DTI ay susuporta sa packaging at branding at ang BISCAST ay magbibigay ng pagsasanay sa pagnenegosyo at pamamahala sa ilalim ng kanilang ExCEL Program.

Ayon kay Aiza B. Mendez, Chief ng Support Services ng DAR, malaking hakbang ito para sa pag-unlad ng mga ARB. Umaasa siyang makikilala pa sa mas maraming pamilihan ang mga produkto ng BFACoop tulad ng sriracha, chili-basil seasoning, at spicy tomato salsa.

Kabilang sa mga lumagda sa kasunduan sina Sagñay Mayor John Vincent B. Fuentebella, DTI Provincial Director Jay Percival S. Ablan, DOST Provincial Director Patrocinio N. Felizminio, at BISCAST OIC-President Dr. Deanna C. Regnim.