Tuesday, December 13, 2011

DA 13 –AMAD Fast Tracks Implementation of Brgy. Food Terminals

The Agribusiness, Marketing and Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 beefed up its efforts to heave farmers from a mere land tillers to agribusiness enthusiasts through fast tracking the implementation of Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs).

Last February, AMAD devoted its time in launching three BFT sites formerly known as Barangay Bagsakan bringing a total of 45 BFT existing sites to date.

First to launch was in Barangay Aclan, Nasipit Agusan del Norte through Aclan Coconut Farmers’ Cooperative as project cooperator and followed by in Sta. Teresita, Bayugan City , Agusan del Sur with JCA Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative as project cooperator last February 9, 2011.On February 15, another BFT site was launched in Brgy. Don Ruben, San Jose, Dinagat Islands through Don Ruben Multipurpose Cooperative as project cooperator.

Each of the BFT cooperators were given various equipments such as plastic crates, plastic trays, push cart, freezer, chiller, electronic cash register, digital weighing scale, platform weighing scale, mechanical table scale, ice box, and P100,000.00 capitalization as grant from the Department of Agriculture aside from funding and or technical support from its respective local government units.

In an interview, AMAD Officer in Charge Servilla D. Balaan said for the first quarter of the current year, seven new BFT sites will be set in place in different areas in the region.

BFT serves as a consolidation area wherein farmers and fisher folks alike as well as consumers or buyers could meet thereby sparking economic activities.BFT is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed to suppress hunger and malnutrition in the countryside through access of affordable and nutritious food supply. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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