Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya—Farming for sweet potato in barangay Runruno here will entice more upland farmers to produce more with the expansion of the community plantation project.
The popular root crop is now produced by the 12 sitios or sub-barangays because of the various delicacies that can be made from it and the increasing demand from buyers.
Recently, the Barangay Local Government Unit of Runruno and the FCF Minerals Corporation have allocated P860,000.00 in support of the Sweet Potato Production and Marketing within the 20-hectare plantation of Runruno.
The mining firm, through the Enterprise Development and Networking component of the Social Development and Management Program, is now helping the Runruno Livelihood Development Association in engaging with the production and marketing of fresh sweet potato tubers within the plantation area.
“This is a good enterprise because the products of the beneficiaries will be consolidated and sold to identified buyers within and outside the municipality,” said Runruno Barangay Captain John Babliing.
The mining firm also provides capacity building, empowerment and livelihood trainings for the beneficiaries to ensure the success of the sweet potato plantation’s management and quality production.
Second quarter report of the FCF Mining Corporation showed that P516,000.00 was released for the sweet potato production in an initial area of 12 hectares.
Marcelo Samaco, EDN team leader, said that 18.3 hectares of sweet potato were found to be feasible for 61 beneficiaries from five community organizations.
“Since the fund was enough for 12 hectares, only 40 beneficiaries were initially funded for the second quarter,” he said.
The community-based organization beneficiaries were the Kinalabasa Rural Workers Association,Inc., Cabinuangan Highlanders Association, Inc., Atan Vegetable Growers Association, Busat Upland Faremrs Association and the Sitio Dumaliguia Workers Association, Inc. .
Samaco said the initial areas planted would be checked to determine the actual and target area planted.