‘No Cordillera without Benguet's farming industry’

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The agriculture department in Benguet believes that there is no Cordillera region without Benguet province's farming industry.

“Benguet is the leading producer of semi-temperate vegetables in the country and the premier source of strawberries," DA-Cordillera OIC-Regional Executive Director lawyer Jennilyn Dawayan emphasized at the opening of Benguet's Agri-tourism Fair at the Benguet Cold Chain Project Compound, Wangal, La Trinidad.

According to the DA-CAR, 88% of the Cordillera's total vegetable production comes from Benguet, while the province produces 59% of the region's heirloom rice.

Dawayan also bared that Benguet produces 60% of green beans in the Cordillera and holds the sixth position nationwide.   

She said that Benguet is also  home to the renowed agri-tourism destination “Northern Blossoms” in Atok town and cut flowers at Bahong, La Trinidad while it also hosts two of the largest trading posts in the country -- the La Trinidad Trading Post and the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC).

Dawayan said that amid the problems arising from vegetable  importation, she proposes a thorough study of policies, while encouraging public support in patronizing local products amid challenges posed by importation.

Dawayan also affirmed DA’s support for the struggle of farmers against illegal entry of vegetable products from other countries.

"Let us be the voice crying in the wilderness against smuggling. It is our responsibility as consumers, as government players, and as stakeholders to report this immediately," she stressed.