By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – With the support of technical expertise and marketing guidance from the Agriboost initiative led by the local government, vegetable farmers in the area have seen a notable increase in both yield and income.
One such success story is Susan Aparri, a resident of Barangay Sumilihon, who has experienced a significant rise in her earnings from vegetable cultivation thanks to the project.
Aparri shared, “My vegetable farm focuses on cucumber, string beans, and okra production, following the recommendations of the Agrihub facility under the Agriboost project. The facility purchases all my produce as well as other farm products from Butuan City farmers,” as stated in a release by the local government on Wednesday.
In the past, Aparri said she could only earn around PHP24,000 monthly from the more than a quarter area devoted to vegetable farming before.
Through the Agriboost program, Aparri said she could now earn from PHP12,000 to PHP13,000 per week, or around PHP50,000 per month from her produce.
Local farmers are also assured of high and fair prices with the Agrihub to dispose of their farm products, she added.
Moreover, Aparri said the program also provides support to production through technical training programs and the provision of quality seeds, fertilizers, materials and farming equipment.
“My increased income helped me in providing support to my two students, especially their needs in schools,” she said.
The Agriboost project was a winner in the 2021-2022 Global Mayors Challenge of the Bloomberg Philanthropies, showcasing the competitiveness of local farmers.
The program was devised to boost the competitiveness of farmers through technical and resource support, demand-driven production, reliable farm gate pricing, and the strengthening of an agricultural hub in the city aimed to catalyze market forces. (PNA)
