The Department of Agriculture (DA) and its Cordillera (DA-CAR) office are stepping in to protect harvests and reduce farmer losses as persistent rains damage crops and disrupt Benguet vegetable trading.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed DA-CAR Tuesday to assess conditions and deliver aid, following reports of discarded Chinese cabbage and carrots along Tublay’s Labey–Lacamen Road.
DA-CAR Director Jennilyn Dawayan confirmed two cases totaling 5.8 tons of lost produce: 2.5 tons of Chinese cabbage from Bakun rotted after waiting two nights and two days at the La Trinidad trading center; 4 tons of carrots from Buguias saw only 700 kg sold, with the rest dumped due to rot and poor road conditions.
The agency offered Kadiwa program support, but crops were already deteriorating. DA-CAR is expanding Kadiwa stores, transport aid, and buyer linkages, having assisted 46 groups and moved 32.83 tons (P1.2M) this month. Seed reserves are also on hand for recovery.
