#17WBISM| Esperanza, a municipality in the heart of Sultan Kudarat is experiencing a transformation in its agricultural landscape thanks to PRDP’s World Bank and European Union Co-Financed subprojects.
With funding from PRDP and the steadfast support of its local government, significant improvements are underway leading towards a new era of prosperity for the local farmers through the construction of two units of warehouses with solar dryers in Barangay Salumping and another three units of warehouses with solar dryers in Barangay Legodon.
Before the implementation of these projects and with limited resources, farmers resorted to drying their products on tarps by the roadside, compromising their quality and selling at low prices. This scenario left farmers struggling to earn a decent living, with little room for negotiation in the market. However, the tide turned with PRDP’s provision of warehouse with solar dryer projects in order to aid in the production of coffee, corn, upland palay, and other commodities.
The Php 5.7-million-unit located at Sitio Embaley and the Php 5.6-million unit at Sitio Kebeng made the production process become more coherent in Barangay Salumping, with the primary goal of reducing postharvest coffee loses by 14% and aiding in the generation of jobs to 130 and 110 farming households in the said barangay.
Today, these initiatives resulted in higher-quality products commanding better prices in the market.
Lito Daingan, chairman of Barangay Salumping is grateful for the interventions from PRDP which ensure proper product preservation and market readiness with the help of the ample storage space from the warehouses.
“Our farmers now have proper dryers and warehouses for storage,” Daingan said. “Our farmers can now bid farewell to the days of tarp drying with the help of the solar dryers.”
Esperanza Municipal Administrator Felix Ploteña highlights the long-term benefits brought about by these subprojects.
Recalling past challenges in garnering community support, he emphasized the importance of transparent communication and trust-building which is essential for sustainable development initiatives. Looking ahead, Ploteña envisions more projects, including farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities, aimed at propelling their local agriculture to greater heights.
Grateful for the transformative impact of PRDP’s World Bank and European Union initiatives, Daingan, Daliva, and Ploteña hoped for continued support, recognizing the pivotal role such partnerships play in fostering community growth and resilience.
Through collaborative efforts, Esperanza blooms as a place of agricultural innovation, where the seeds of progress will result in a bountiful harvest for present and future generations.
Agri Tayo Soccsksargen