Tabuk City, Kalinga – Former members of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) in Ileb, Nambaran, Tabuk City are expected to benefit from the Cassava Production Project which was launched on Wednesday, June 29, 2021.
The project is expected to create an economic impact on the lives of the former rebels with the Department of Agrarian Reform personnel, providing them schooling through their Farm Business School lessons in order for them to take advantage of the project.
The said project by DAR is aimed at strengthening the capacity of farmers in managing their farms and increase their profitability.
Sitio Ileb, Nambaran has been a home for former members of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) since they were awarded Certificate of Land Ownership each from 2006 to 2008. In the said area, around 78 farmer members of the United Ileb Farmers Irrigators Association (UIFIA), Inc. have been identified as beneficiaries.
DAR-Kalinga Information Officer Judith Longid said the agency observed that no improvement was made to the piece of land given to the former rebels which made them decide to introduce cassava farming for the utilization of the land and for other profitable purpose.
Longid said there inspiration for introducing the Cassava Production project is the Pudtol Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose cooperative (PARB-MPC) which is now a multi-millionaire cooperative because of cassava farming.
PARB MPC in Pudtol Apayao is a growing cooperative known for its cassava products and by-products.
Initial equipment provided for the project and Farm Business School
A heavy duty tractor with complete accessories amounting to P2,394,000 was awarded to the ARB association.
Hauling of cassava stems acquired from the cassava plantation of Pudtol ARB MPC was also made on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 which the beneficiaries started to plant following the project’s launching.
“Ti in-commit ti Nambaran ket 10 hectares ti mamulaan of which nga na-tractor-en and they are now planting as of yesterday nga launching na,” Longid said.
For the Farmer Business School, the members will undergo 25 sessions of schooling for them to be taught on soil preparation, production and marketing of their produce by the DAR personnel. They will be meeting weekly, either Mondays or Fridays.
According to Longid, PARB MPC and UIFIA vowed for a big brother-small brother relationship on cassava farming to marketing during their visit in Pudtol on Tuesday.
Longid disclosed that the marketing strategy was to partner with San Miguel Corporation as a direct buyer, but as they are unable to fulfill the requirement wherein the cassava plantation must be 20 hectares, the multi-millionaire cooperative shall assist first.
“I-cater pay ti Pudtol. Inayon da diay harvest da inggana maka-expand tayo ditoy Tabuk tapno maka mula tayo iti 20 hectares,” Longid said.
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