Group taps IN upland farmers to produce off-season veggies

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—The Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association (VIEVA) of the Philippines is eyeing for more than 1,000 hectares of idle and crucial agricultural areas in Ilocos Norte to produce off-season vegetables starting this August.

Estrella Sacro of the Environment and Natural Resources Office under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte said representatives of VIEVA Philippines conducted a site inspection here recently to enter into a contract of agreement with Ilocos Norte farmers to expand additional farm lands for the exportation of the country’s agricultural products.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Ilocos Norte’s favorable climate condition allows the growing of off-season vegetables such as onions and garlic and other high value crops like ginger, paminta, monggo and achuete.

By August, VIEVA will be distributing quality seeds to upland farmers particularly in Pasuquin and Vintar for the large-scale growing of these high value crops for export.

Aside from sharing with small farmers the marketing side of its business, VIEVA Philippines in partnership with the Ilocos Norte government also provides technical assistance to Ilocos farmers to ensure the continuity of local food supply.

VIEVA is currently engaged in the speedy delivery of garlic produce to market outlets in Manila; the exportation of shallots harvested in the Ilocos provinces and Nueva Ecija; successful harvests and sales of ginger, lowland & upland vegetables, onions and garlic produced by farmers in Nueva Ecija, Ilocos provinces, Pampanga Nueva Vizcaya, Mindoro, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Siquijor, Zambales, Mindanao area and Batanes.

This time, VIEVA is helping Ilocos farmers to expand their production of garlic and onion farms with a high demand in the market.

Strategically located in key areas of the country, VIEVA Philippines Inc. is reaching out to Ilocos farmers to boost the country’s economic development programs and in response to the national government’s call to engage more Filipino entrepreneurs participate in inclusive growth.

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