CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) - 2 has formally turned over the newly-completed P2 million Calamansi Processing Facility to Aurora Citrus Farmers Marketing Cooperative held on October 14, 2022.
The facility, equipment and other agricultural materials were funded under the DA’s High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of General Appropriations for 2021.
Carol Albay, Regional HVCDP focal person, said the provision of such facility and equipment for calamansi processors in the town of Aurora is part of the department’s efforts in helping the cooperative to venture into value-adding as an additional source of income.
“We are optimistic that citrus production and processing in Aurora will expand and be known to other places in the country using this processing facility,” Albay said.
DA-2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo, who led the turn over, assured the continuous partnerships of DA and LGU Aurora as he advised them to continue and innovate other finish products out of Calamansi.
Edillo also appreciated the clustered farming being practiced by Aurora Citrus Farmers Marketing Cooperative especially in growing Calamansi as the raw material in making calamansi juice.
Meanwhile, Aurora Mayor Joseph Christian G. Uy, expressed his gratitude to DA - RFO2 for the support to their farmers in providing such important facilities and equipment for Calamansi growers in the town.
The cooperative's Chairperson Yvonnie Gutierrez also extended his gratitude to DA-RFO 2 for the support given to their cooperative. (OTB/MGE / PIA Isabela)
