BAPTC technical assistance at work
DR. Violeta B. Salda, Chief Operations Officer, BAPTC The BAPTC Contract Trading, a complementary service to the Center’s Trading Post Operations, provides assistance to farmer groups who are willing and agree to venture on the Contract Growing and Consolidation scheme. This trading option focuses mostly on the supply of vegetables to Institutional Buyers and Wet Markets with specific product requirements.
Some of the technical trainings offered by the Center (in collaboration with Benguet State University, the Department of Agriculture-CAR and Agricultural Training Institute) and activities supervised by the Contract Trading Department are as follows: 1) GAP- Internal Control System (GAP-ICS); 2) Appropriate Postharvest Handling and Packaging of Highland Vegetables, 3) Soil Sample Procedure and Fertilizer Computation, 4) Crop Production Programming, and 5) Nursery Management.
The GAP-ICS training focuses on the strict implementation of GAP Standards from production to market distribution. Training on Safe Food Handling and Grading are inculcated throughout the course to ensure proper observance of the guidelines on food safety measures. Training on Soil Sample Procedure and Fertilizer Computation emphasizes the basic steps in farming following proper land preparation, soil nutrient management for healthy soil for continuous cropping. Training on Crop Production Programming focuses on helping farmers program their vegetable production with the utmost harvest quality and market them in the most efficient manner. This training provides simple tactics in crop scheduling and help in the stabilization of commodity prices at one end. The Nursery Management which focuses on equipping producers the technical skills in vegetable nursery operation and management to be able to put in place a profitable and productive vegetable nursery.
Prior to engaging with the mentioned trading scheme, interested groups must have undergone or willing to attend trainings packaged according to phases, to improve farm practices including the marketing systems. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification is one requirement, and products from GAP-certified farms are on top of the checklist of these meticulous buyers. These trainings are some of the tools to understand well why such product requirements come about- the trend on Food Safety. Groups who have undergone earlier trainings and accreditation have more advantages where they are easier to be linked to buyers and can easily cope with the institutional product requirements. LIFCC, for Starters The Lengaoan Indigenous Farmers Credit Cooperative (LIFCC), together with other BAPTC accredited farmers’ groups, had the privilege to avail of the trainings offered by the Center. With great interest to engage in the Contract Trading scheme, members were able to finish most of the trainings offered during the previous quarters, already completed and accomplished the buyers’ requirements, thus now are candidates for the long-term supply of Scorpio cabbages.
The LIFCC had undergone rigorous trial deliveries of different commodities, soil and water sample testing from July to December 2016. The trial deliveries proved great success and the group were able to achieve standardized volume of Scorpio cabbage requirement per fast food outlet delivered at this buyer’s Baguio branch commissary.
Series of meetings went on that led to the company’s decision to let LIFCC have its pilot deliveries at at Sta. Maria Industrial Park in Bulacan. The deliveries commenced last February 2017 up to present. Gradual increase of deliveries was observed starting from the initial volume of 310 kilograms to 50,000 kilograms as of November 2017. Cabbage specifications include not less than 1 kilogram weight per head (or 1kg and up, per cabbage), packed in clear plastic bags with perforations to prevent postharvest losses.
Results of the batch of deliveries are being documented and synthesized for further improvement. Contract signing follows to seal the negotiated agreement defining the details and other necessary requirements. Kudos to this persistent and perseverant group!!!