Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Blo Umpar Adiong initiated the dialogue to help highland farmers address the issue of vegetable importation.
Agriculture Undersecretary Ernesto Ordoñez, Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo and local government officials of Benguet and Mt. Province also attended the dialogue.
Governors Raul Molintas and Sario Malinias of Benguet and Mt. Province, respectively, were present during the dialogue but left when the traders and the farmers forged agreements and recommendations to maintain a viable vegetable industry and curb importation.
La Trinidad, Benguet Mayor Nestor Fongwan agreed to meet the standards set by the importers and cited the need to organize the capital town’s farmers. He also suggested broccoli as the pilot crop.
Fongwan said heavy rains in July and August resulted in low vegetable production and difficulty in transporting the produce from the highlands. He cited the need to use greenhouses to assure a year-round supply of vegetables.
Because highland farmers cannot meet the demand, traders buy vegetables from Bukidnon and Tagaytay which have established production and marketing networks.
The traders also have to import specific vegetables not available locally to meet the requirements of their clients such as hotels, restaurants and various food industries.
Also agreed upon during the dialogue were the following:
• The importers are willing to buy local vegetables (lettuce, broccoli, celery, cauliflower) based on the harvesting schedule of Benguet farmers. There will also be closer coordination between the farmers and the importers.
• The farmers are required to submit samples of their produce to the importers for their clients’ taste evaluation/acceptance.
• The government should provide cold storage in localities where vegetables are produced, as well as refrigerated vans or trucks to transport the local produce.
• Local executives should organize cooperatives in their respective localities to address the importers’ requirements.
During the dialogue, vegetable importers discussed some factors that farmers must take into consideration so as not to hamper the supply of vegetables to their customers.