Around 112 farmers are expected to help bring down the prices of agricultural products in the municipality of El Nido after recently completing the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.’ (PSFI)-supported integrated farming biosystem (IFBS) training.
PSFI project officer and designated manager of the Palawan Eco-Agro Park (PEAP) Edgar Clamor said the farmers from Barangays Pasadeña, New Ibajay, and Bagong Bayan in El Nido completed their IFBS training on February 13.
The farming system training is part of PEAP which aims to utilize an integrated and community-focused approach in developing and enhancing the employable and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes of the people, including skills accreditation and certification.
Clamor said farmers are expected to develop their potentials in managing and implementing income-generating projects and enterprises in agri-business, farm tourism and IFBS, experience learning by doing, earning while learning, and saving and investing for their sustainable livelihood.
“The PEAP as a model, if fully operational, may produce approximately two tons of mixed vegetables every month that will help curve veggie prices as well as the increase in local supply in El Nido,” he said.
Clamor said its common knowledge that agricultural products in El Nido are way expensive than other municipalities in Palawan.
As one of the prime tourist destinations in the country, he said the demand for agricultural products in the municipality is beyond what it can supply.
He said this situation is what prompted the PSFI to collaborate with the provincial government of Palawan and the municipal government of El Nido to set up PEAP.
“The 1st and 2nd batch of farmers who finished the training is expected to produce at least five tons of vegetables every month,” Clamor added, explaining that more supply means cheaper prices eventually.
Clamor added that with the completion of their IFBS training, the farmers can now help El Nido in meeting the demand for agricultural products that are affordable.
The commencement exercise for the IFBS participants was witnessed by El Nido municipal administrator Rene Jay de la Calzada, vice mayor Leonor Corral, Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM) commander Col. Lauro Tianchon, Engr. Saylito Purisima of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), and PSFI program manager Marvi Trudeau.
