The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced plans to establish a new postharvest and vegetable processing facility at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad, Benguet. This initiative aims to decrease spoilage and safeguard highland farmers from losses associated with post-harvest handling during peak harvest times. The move follows the issuance of Department Order 31, signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on October 6, and subsequently posted on the DA's official website.
The new facility will cover 1.5 hectares within the existing BAPTC compound, significantly boosting the cold-chain infrastructure of Northern Luzon. The construction is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of the upcoming year. The facility is designed to facilitate a range of operations essential for maintaining the quality and marketability of highland vegetable produce. These operations will include expanded cold storage facilities, blast-freezing units, Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) lines, and automated washing, packing, and repacking systems.
Moreover, the project aims to integrate sophisticated technology by implementing digital inventory management platforms and environmental facilities intended for wastewater treatment and organic waste management. By enhancing the efficiency of post-harvest processes, the facility is expected to help farmers retain the value of their produce in the competitive market.
In order to ensure oversight and coordination, the DA has established the BAPTC Postharvest and Vegetable Processing Facility Project Management and Monitoring Committee (BAPTC PVPF-PMMC). The committee, which will be chaired by the Undersecretary for Agro-Marine Industrial Systems, will comprise officials from various DA offices including Operations, Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, High-Value Crops Development, and more.
The committee is also tasked with securing a usufruct agreement for the project site with Benguet State University (BSU), and forming a tripartite memorandum of agreement that will involve the DA, BSU, and the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI). Additionally, it will oversee the selection process for a private sector operator responsible for managing and maintaining the facility once it is operational.
To support these efforts, administrative and technical guidance will be provided by a dedicated technical working group, which is led by the DA Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR), along with the Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO) and FTI. This collaborative approach is aimed at ensuring the successful execution and sustainability of the facility, ultimately benefiting local farmers and the overall vegetable industry in the region.