DA-CAR Facilitates Sale of Over 2 Tons of Unsold Vegetables in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) successfully facilitated the sale of more than two tons of unsold vegetables on Friday, helping local farmers connect with buyers amid surplus stocks at various trading posts.

According to Philippines News Agency, chief of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (RAFIS), approximately one ton of vegetables were distributed to various government offices in Baguio, following an appeal from the DA-CAR director to purchase unsold produce and support local farmers. By 8:30 a.m., around 1,900 kilograms of green leafy and highly perishable vegetables had been ordered by several Cordillera-based agencies, including the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the National Economic Development Authority, and others.

Pagtan further noted that hundreds of kilograms of vegetables were transported to Pampanga, following a collaborative effort between DA-CAR’s marketing office and its Region 3 counterpart to alleviate the surplus. The vegetables were sold at a nominal price of PHP 10 per kilogram, with an additional PHP 2 to PHP 5 to cover packaging costs.

DA-CAR director Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan also mobilized DA personnel to participate in the effort, underscoring the voluntary nature of these purchases but highlighting the benefit to both consumers and farmers. Pagtan praised the collective action, describing it as “Bayanihan in action,” where small contributions from many individuals significantly aid the farmers who faced challenges in selling their produce promptly.

Monitoring at the Benguet Agripinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) indicated substantial activity, with about 175 trucks transporting traded vegetables to markets across various cities post-intervention. The BAPTC typically sees an average of 125 trucks daily, underscoring the scale of vegetable transportation and trade in the region.

The DA-CAR’s research division is currently investigating the causes of the initial oversupply, which may be linked to accelerated vegetable growth due to recent heavy rains associated with Super Typhoon Carina and monsoon conditions. This analysis aims to develop future strategies to prevent similar issues.