Benguet gov challenges new BSU prex to cope with AFTA
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By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan challenged the next Benguet State University president to dedicate more researches to help vegetable farmers cope with the full implementation of the Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA).
Fongwan was among the guests during the investiture of the new BSU President Feliciano Calora, Jr. who will lead the university’s centennial celebrations.
Fongwan said Benguet supplies 80% of temperate vegetable needs of the country and BSU through its research extension would be of great help in the farmers’ bid for accreditation as good agricultural practices (GAP) certified. He said farmers need to be GAP certified to be able to sell their products to the global market.
Fongwan said farmers also need researches for processing. He cited as an example the market for processed potatoes that the province failed to capture. “We tried to penetrate the processed potato market but we did not pass the requirements of the biggest potato chips company,” he said.
It can be recalled that the provincial agriculture office developed potato chips samples in its bid to supply a leading company but fell short of its standards.
Fongwan also asked Calora, who is a forester to help in the preservation and protection of Benguet forests. He said that Benguet vegetable gardens can only be sustained if the environment is healthy. “The gardens need irrigation and the forests are the source of water,” he said.
Calora accepted the challenge.
In a separate interview, Calora said BSU through its research and extension program has been working closely with Benguet farmers.
Calora further said that more than tree planting a more scientific approach in reforestation is needed in the province. He cited as example the mountains along Kennon Road and Marcos Highway need soil replenishment. He said the top soil along the said highways are already too thin that is why it can no longer hold the trees.
He said that the more scientific approach would be to start to plant grass then shrubs then gradually trees to thicken first the soil to support the trees. # nordis.net
