Multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer for chicharron production from DOST. Contributed photo
TARLAC CITY – The Department of Science and Technology provided some P683,020-worth of production equipment to three cooperatives in Tarlac.
The recipients include Mayantoc Sweet Potato Clean Planting Materials (SPCPM) Cooperative, Pindangan 2nd Primary Multipurpose Cooperative from Camiling, and Ventinilla Farmers Marketing Cooperative from Paniqui.
DOST provincial science and technology center director Karen Danez said the agency’s grant-in-aid program aims to enhance the production of farmers getting into enterprise development.
“We distributed it to beneficiaries through our synchronization program with Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Trade and Industry,” she said. “We hope that these technological interventions would encourage more of our farmers to venture into farming-related enterprises that will provide them with extra income during off-season.”
Mayantoc SPCPM Cooperative, who are producers of sweet potato noodles and snacks, received a noodle maker, fryer and molder worth P146,480.
“Before, we do it manually, now, our speed of production increased because of the equipment and now we have a new source of sustainable income,” shared coop head Pamela Agabao.
Pindangan 2nd Primary Multipurpose Cooperative chairperson Gaudencio Lactaoen expressed his gratitude to DOST for the P441,540- worth processing equipment they received.
It includes a solar tunnel dryer, fryer, stainless steel pots, and food thermometer that will be utilized for chichacorn production.
“We thank DOST for the equipment they have given us, because of these our production tripled,” Lactaoen shared.
Ventinilla Farmers Marketing Cooperative received a double chamber vacuum packaging machine worth P95,000 which will help not only enhance the packaging appearance of their black, brown and red rice products but also prolong its shelf life.
DOST, together with its partner agencies, continually extend its support to farmers moving to farming-related enterprise to aid their production for more sustainable income.
