Small Calamansi Processors undergo training on processing standards
Posted by LSFM PhilDHRRA on Mar 20, 2010
Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay—31 small calamansi processors have been trained on the Code of Practice for Calamansi Processing and Handling last 15-16 March 2010 in Mae Enterprise, Zamboanga Sibugay. Participants were members of NAZARETH Women’s Association and Zamboanga Sibugay High Value Marketing Crop Multipurpose Cooperative (ZASHIVAC).
The training-workshop was geared towards improving knowledge and skill of small calamansi farmers and processors on standards and internal quality control (IQC) mechanisms for calamansi concentrate processing. It also aimed to introduce basic concepts on social enterprise.
Session 1: Introduction to Social Enterprise
Difference between traditional business enterprise and social enterprise was discussed to kindle participants’ appreciation on Social Enterprise (SE). Cases of RIIR (Rags to Riches) and Pecuaria Helathy Rice were shared for them to relate on success stories of women’s association and small farmers group. During the discussion, some participants relate that SE entails sacrifice—that is not having a high profit at times but still distributing it appropriately to the members.
During the workshop, the participants were asked to share learnings from the discussions and identify characteristics of a social entrepreneur that would contribute in the success of their SE.
The participants shared that as social entrepreneurs, they should always be willing to learn or improve their skills, be resourceful and hardworking, be cooperative in the group’s effort. Also, as managers of SE, they should have a sense of leadership by setting examples to their members and encouraging members’ participation.
Session 2: The Importance of Product Standards
The importance of food quality and safety, and, product standardization was presented by Mr. Nonoy Villas, LSFM Regional Project Coordinator, AsiaDHRRA. He also discussed the several types of market, food certification, and traceability system.
Session 3: Specifications of Citrus Beverage Drink
The participants were introduced to Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Citrus Beverage Drink. Specifications of citrus beverage drinks vis-à-vis their current products were tackled.
Session 4: Code of Practice for Processing and Handling Citrus Beverage Products
The participants current processing and handling practices were reviewed vis-à-vis PNS-BFAD 12:2007 or Code of Practice for Processing and Handling Citrus Beverage Products.
Session 5: Planning-workshop
The planning-workshop was intended to help the participants identify recommendations on improving their product quality and safety within 1-year period.
The said training was organized by PhilDHRRA and XAES, with support from PEF-Mindanao.
Ensuring Regular Supply and Prompt Delivery of Quality Products
Posted by LSFM PhilDHRRA on Dec 14, 2009
“To successfully engage with the market, we need to have the right product, with the right volume and right price, at the right time…”
This was the conclusion of the participants after the National Training Workshop held last 28 June – 01 July 2009, at the SEARSOLIN, Cagayan De Oro (CDO) City. Participants were calamansi farmers together with their assisting non – government organizations (NGOs) coming from the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Agusan del Sur, Compostella Valley, and, Zamboanga Sibugay. The four – day training-workshop, entitled, “Ensuring Regular Supply and Prompt Delivery of Quality Products,” is the third in a series of five in-country capacity building activities under the Linking Small Farmers to Market (LSFM) project by the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) in partnership with the Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (AsiaDHRRA) with support from the ASEAN Foundation.
This in-country training-workshop was designed to provide inputs to small calamansi farmers on how to address regular supply delivery, which is one of the three basic market requirements. It was held back-to-back with LSFM’s regional training that gathered farmer leaders and assisting NGOs from Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Taiwan, and Korea, to discuss the importance of commodity based associations (29 June – 02 July 2009) also at CDO City.
The first day of the in-country training workshop started with the participants defining their roles in commodity-based associations and identifying the advantages and disadvantages of joining commodity-based associations. This was followed by an exercise on synchronized production planning.
It was during the second day that the participants’ defined roles and importance of commodity-based associations were confirmed by the participants coming from the regional training.
Because of the back – to – back regional training, case presentations from successful commodity-based associations were also presented by participants from South Korea, Taiwan, and, Bukidnon, Philippines. These case presentations provided models for organizing communities or groups of small producers, consolidating their products, and linking with the larger market.
The case of Taiwan Wax Apple Producers Association (TWADA), as presented by Dr. Wen-Chi Huang, explained that when small group of farmers are organized into one unified association, government could easily facilitate assistance that suits specific needs of the organization and its members.
The experience of Korean Pear Producers Association (KPPA), as presented by Mr. Seo Dong Woo, proved that when groups of small farmers are organized, production would achieve economy of scale with marketing efforts being more focused; thus, other initiatives and services (i.e. quality assurance) could easily be extended to individual members.
With the experience of small cassava farmers group in Bukidnon, as shared by Ms. Agnes Bolaños of Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, it demonstrated how a group of small producers were able to employ bargaining power, and secure their benefits as well as welfare, while engaging with huge private company.
Mr. Jing Pacturan, Executive Director of the Philippine Development Assistance Programme (PDAP), shared to the group the importance of organizational management in commodity-based organizing. He described the experiences of PDAP in organizing groups from various industries, like seaweed, organic rice, and muscovado sugar through its program, “Promoting Rural Industries and Market Enhancement (PRIME).”
At the end of the four – day activity, the in-country participants, together with the regional training participants visited the Fresh Valley Farm in Bukidnon and the Northern Mindanao Vegetables Producers Association Consolidation Center in CDO. This visit allowed them to see how small and medium vegetable producers work together and consolidate their products with an aim to have a greater share in the market.
The National Training Workshop and Regional Training were capped by a cultural presentation and solidarity night hosted, respectively, by the PhilDHRRA Mindanao, and Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. Special thanks goes to Congressman Ariel “Ayi” C. Hernandez for hosting the solidarity night wherein participants showcased their traditional songs and dance presentations.
to get a copy of presentations, please e-mail national@phildhrra.net
Complying with Market Requirements on Product Quality and Food Safety
Posted by LSFM PhilDHRRA on Dec 14, 2009
According to World Bank (2007), among the marketing and production issues confronting the small farmer leaders and their partner NGO workers are difficulty in meeting quality standards and contract conditions. Add to these are the influx of investments by food manufacturers and retailers; rising urbanization; and, policies of privatization, liberalization, and, creation of the WTO and EU. All of the aforementioned developments have led to more rigid government and industry standards on product quality and food safety, which entail high cost for small-scale farmers.
Food safety and product quality has been identified among the major barriers of small farmers’ participation and engagement with markets. Due to the lack of information and technical support that small farmers get from government, small farmers have always been left behind in their efforts at complying with the growing sophistications of product standards set by governments and markets. This second in-country training workshop will deal on food safety and product quality along with related topics on traceability and guarantees in many forms including certification.
Training Objectives
In general, the training workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of small farmer leaders, LGU and NGO agricultural extension workers/community organizers on the importance of standardization on product quality and food safety; and on meeting such market requirements.
In this regards, the following would be the specific objectives:
- To identify specific issues and challenges on food safety and product quality confronting the small-scale calamansi farmers;
- To explain the rationale behind food safety requirements and product quality standards set by the national government and other private institutions;
- To articulate the importance of certification, guarantees, etc. as mechanisms to ensure product quality and food safety;
- To present practical steps that would address food safety and product quality issues in calamansi production; and,
- To identify specific needs that require support from government and other stakeholders to improve safety and quality of fresh calamansi.
Session 1: Food Safety and Product Quality Issues and Challenges: Views from Small-scale Calamansi Farmers
Presented by Mr. Rey Tagal, Director, Trento Calamansi Processor’s Development Cooperative (TCPDC); Mr. Nicasio Barioga, Calamansi Farmer, Cabanatuan City; Mr. Luis T. Caballero, Jr., Zamboanga Sibugay High Value Marketing Crop Cooperative
Hailing from the province of Agusan del Sur, Mr. Tagal spoke on behalf of the Trento Calamansi Processor’s Development Cooperative (TCPDC). He related that their municipality has devoted 1000 hectares to calamansi trees but faces the problematic issue of the fluctuating farmgate price for calamansi. However, he expressed his hopes that the LFSM project would invigorate the growers of Trento, transforming idle lands and creating jobs, even as they strove for a processing plant in the municipality.
Mr. Barioga of Nueva Ecija, related that producing calamansi gave them good quality of life. They never used pesticides for calamansi until it was introduced to them by institutional suppliers. Eventually, pesticides were demanded, driving up production costs. He noted that currently, with high input costs, calamansi growing fell into the “If you have no money, you can’t make money” category, saying that only the major plantations are really rich. He expressed the need to unite, or else, farmers would be going one on one versus the market. He stated though that the initiative of PhilDHRRA would help and repeated the need to unite in the face of market forces.
Mr. Caballero shared that ZASHIVAC had been operating for two years and has its own clustering, set of standards, trained pickers, and, product traceability mechanisms. However, he said that other members would still add calamansi of reject sizes to the crates. These made them received several complaints from their buyers. With the help of their traceability mechanism, they were able to trace responsibility and gave due sanction.
Session 2a: Importance of Standardization of Product Quality and Food Safety
Presented by Engr. Jake Velasco, Bureau of Product Standards (BPS)–Standards Development Division
Engr. Velasco of the BPS gave a general talk on standards and standardization as well as the services offered by the BPS regarding the Philippine National Standard. He related that the BPS’ is committed to raise the quality and global competitiveness of Philippine industries. He answered questions on the coverage of the standards, noting that food products could also bear the “Philippine Standard Mark” as in the case of Dole produce as well as the certification mark for “Good Agricultural Practices.”
Session 2b: Grading and Classification of Fresh Calamansi
Presented by Mr. Gilberto Layese, Director, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards – Department of Agriculture (BAFPS-DA)
The BAFPS-DA has jurisdiction over fresh foods, such as fruit, and as such, Director Leyese gave an in-depth presentation on the standard set for fresh calamansi and how meeting that standard allowed producers to charge a premium price for excellent quality fruits. Calamansi is graded according to three classes, with Extra Class being of superior quality followed by classes 1 and 2. He did note that the current market for calamansi is “all in” irrespective of grades, but that previously had been the same for mangoes until sellers began to note the benefits of grading and classification.
Session 3: Food Safety Issues and Challenges on Fresh Agricultural Commodities
Presented by Ms. Libia L. Chavez, Consulting Food Technologist
Ms. Chavez reviewed the calamansi value chain, noting the areas where food safety could be compromised. Unfortunately, the state of calamansi production was one of low manufacturing practices. Ms. Chavez related that this would be an issue if the project intended to send fruits for processing as there was the risk of contamination, though she added that by being highly acidic, calamansi was naturally well protected from many micro-organisms. However, she stressed the need to maintain stringent, recorded protocols and especially ensure the traceability of the product in order that any problems in the chain could be traced and fixed.
Session 4: Post-harvest Handling Practices on Maintenance of Product Quality
Presented by Dr. Josephine Agravante, Post-harvest Horticulture Training and Research Center-University of the Philippines Los Baños
Dr. Agravante had conducted her study on post-harvest practices in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, which was also an area of some of the participants. This led to an interesting discussion where Dr. Agravante offered concrete examples of practices good and poor and made suggestions for the easy improvement of product quality. In particular, she noted that proper harvesting of the calamansi, with careful cutting of the fruit off the branch as well as packaging in plastic bag lined crates improved product quality a dramatic percentage. This is especially important as it was noted that damage accrued during transport, and damage that becomes visible only after time has passed both serve to drive down the price of calamansi when it arrives at the market.
Session 5: Mechanism for Product Quality and Food Safety
Presented by Mr. Rene Guarin, Executive Director, Upland Marketing Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Guarin related the challenges facing small producers, but also highlighted how the spread of supermarkets offered a chance to market highly quality products at excellent prices. He related that supermarkets often set standards above and beyond those set by the government, but that by refining the production process to meet those standards there would be a good return on costs.
He stressed that all such initiatives were prejudiced against small groups and demanded cooperative action from farmers. This tied into the positioning of UMFI as a possible market intermediary for the project participants.
Session 6: Workshop: Addressing Product Quality and Food Safety, and Policy and Program Support
Facilitated by Mr. Rene Guarin, Executive Director, Upland Marketing Foundation, Inc., and, Ms. Lani Rebgay, Program Officer, AsiaDHRRA
The workshop’s objectives were to address the gap between the existing and final markets for the product as well, identify the standards and practices of both, and note the internal and external actions that could address the gap.
The participants were divided into three geographical groups in order to facilitate workshop flow.
Plenary Discussions
Ms. Lani Rebagay summed up the commonalities that the workshop highlighted. It was revealed that the participants – hailing from Nueva Ecija in the North, to calamansi super-producer Mindoro to Mindanao agreed that a synchronized schedule of production would help to ensure a stable price in the market. Related to this was the need for an integrator or market intermediary – namely the UMFI – and how such an integrator could synchronized production and strong links with the market. Boosted product quality and product development would follow, though it was noted that before the project looks into calamansi puree and powder, first a market for those would need to be identified and the choice would have to be suitable with cluster production.
Conclusion and closing
Mr. Florante Villas of AsiaDHRRA gave the synthesis of the workshop, but Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera gave its closing statement, reminding all the participants that the end goal of all the work was to improve the lives of the nation’s small calamansi farmers.
The 2nd National Training Workshop closed with the distribution of certificates of attendance.
to get a copy of presentations, pleae e-mail national@phildhrra.net
Achieving Economy of Scale towards Successful Market Engagements
Posted by LSFM PhilDHRRA on Dec 14, 2009
The first in-country training is geared towards generating deeper understanding of agricultural marketing and marketing intermediation. The first training hopes to gather major stakeholders in calamansi “industry” thus it is not only a training but also a forum/dialogue. More importantly, the first training will mark the second stage of the project geared towards the formation of structures and mechanism that will facilitate the productive engagement of small farmers with the market.
Training Objectives:
In general, the training workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of small farmer leaders, LGU and NGO agricultural extension workers/community organizers on other forms of market engagements, marketing and market intermediation and become initiators, implementers, advocates and supporters of pro-small farmer marketing initiatives.
In this regards, the following will be the specific objectives: at the end of the training, the participants are able to:
a) Introduce ASEAN Foundation especially on the promotion of Asian unity and Asian identity;
b) Discuss the results of the market researches/studies to be able to situate participants of the situation of farmers leaders (calamansi) about the situation of the industry;
c) Explain the basic element required in the engagement of small farmers with formal market and the importance of market intermediation and the need for organizing commodity cluster as necessary support mechanism for small farmers to benefit from the market;
d) Discuss the processes involved in the formation of commodity clusters/groups to achieve economy of scale, enhance bargaining strength and for systematic delivery of crop-specific agricultural training and extension to enhance yields of specific commodity and improve product quality;
e) Formulate plans towards consolidated market engagement;
f) Establish link and build solidarity among farmers, LGU and NGO workers as key stakeholders; and
g) Identify concrete policy recommendations towards creating favourable environment for support for small farmer production and marketing initiatives.
Session 1: The Market Situation and the Challenges for Small Farmers
- To share with the participants the results of participatory market research and personal experiences of calamansi farmers/producers
Session 2: Basic Requirements for a Successful Small Farmer Engagement with Markets
- To inform the participants regarding the components they have to consider when producing calamansi and engaging with the market
- Specifically, to discuss the formal and informal markets, feasible and viable volume, product quality and safety requirements, and, prompt deliveries at correct quantities
Session 3: Achieving Economy of Scale and Bargaining Strength of Small Farmers
- To go through the process of forming commodity groups
Session 4: Industry / Business Opportunity Scan
- To inform the participants on the challenges and possible opportunities in the calamansi industry
- To provide the participants inputs for the workshop
Session 6: Planning Workshop
- To identify doable steps to be taken based on the inputs of the previous sessions
- To identify possible local support that can be immediately mobilized
- To determine the required “external” assistance that maybe needed
Field Visit:UMFI Warehouse
to get a copy of presentation, e-mal national@phildhrra.net
