Manila Bulletin, February 26, 2011, 1:28am

MANILA, Philippines – The provincial government of Cavite has vowed to put agriculture back as one of its main priorities and is now set to promote organic farming after years of industrialization.

Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla in the recent Agri-Fest and Farmers Congress in Trece Martires City said that it is now the right time to switch back to farming to ensure food security as Cavite is buying its food requirements from other provinces.

Cavite has evolved into a bustling export zone and has achieved industrial growth, resulting in increase in its population. Cavite is now one of the most populous provinces in the Philippines with nearly four million residents.

Remulla said the local government of Cavite seeks to address the declining agricultural productivity as well as the younger generation’s lack of interest in farming. He added that the conduct of farmers congress, for instance, can help boost the province’s agricultural program as it provides opportunity to present new technologies and address the issues concerning marketing.

The said event, which was attended by around 6,000 farmers and fishermen from upland and lowland municipalities of Cavite, has presented technology forums and workshops on organic agriculture, tissue-culture of lakatan, raising pangasius, coffee production, and tropical fruit production.

There were also free rabies vaccination, organic inputs derby, and distribution of planting materials, tilapia fingerlings and livestock under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Respective products of Cavite’s 17 municipalities were also featured at the exhibit area. Various products such as dragon fruit from Indang, cacao tablea from Alfonso, muscovado sugar from Magallanes, dairy products from General Trias, tissue-cultured lakatan and cofee plantlets from Mendez, dried fish and fermented shrimp paste from Rosario, organic fertilizer from Naic, and organic vegetables produced by Cavite Modern Growers Inc., among others, were sold.

According to provincial board member Irene Bencito, it is advantageous to farm in Cavite for a good number of reasons. There are high demands for agricultural products in the Cavite lowlands where the high population is centered with markets strategically located in Carmona, Tanza, Luksuhin, Mahogany, General Trias and Bacoor. Not to mention is Cavite’s proximity to Manila which is a major consumer of agricultural products from all over the country.

Another advantage is that Cavite’s agricultural areas are not much affected by floods that may damage both the coastal and low-lying areas. Besides, Cavite’s lands are naturally fertile which results in good-quality harvest.

Among Cavite’s agricultural commodities are coffee, rice, corn, rootcrops, vegetables, coconut, pineapple, high-value fruit trees, cutflower and ornamentals, spices and herbs, mushrooms, and legumes.

However, agricultural productivity of Cavite farmers is hampered by lack of marketing assistance. Bencito said that the traders are the ones dictating the price, leaving the farmers with less income. Other factors include less number of processing groups, insufficient marketing strategies, and the limited warehouse or storage facilities for harvested products.

Hence, the provincial government suggested the creation of more market places where there is a standardized pricing for agricultural products. One example is for each municipality or cluster to establish a satellite trading post or “bagsakan” center for organic produce to sell by consignment or paid during the same day that can be managed by cooperatives. They will be coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry for the promotion and marketing assistance.

Another suggestion is to create a marketing team to attract buyers, particularly the big food processing firms which they will be supplying with the needed raw materials.