Institutional buyers, such as food service companies and large retailers, require a consistent supply of high-quality products that meet safety and handling standards. To help smallholder farmers access these high-value markets, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is providing technical support and capacity building through its Agri-Aqua Business Hub (AABH).
Recently, AABH helped smallholder farmers of the Lucban Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (LFAC), through the training, “Recommended Production and Management Practices of Selected Herbs and Vegetable Crops.” LFAC is a newly registered cooperative and one of the AABH’s assisted enterprises. Held at the Sangguniang Bayan Conference Room of the Lucban Municipal Hall, the training is part of AABH’s ongoing support to the cooperative.
LFAC was formed to consolidate local vegetable farmers in Lucban and is currently being developed into a steady supplier for institutional buyers. Through the AABH’s market linkaging efforts, the cooperative was connected with the Farmville Agricultural Source Team (FAST), a food service company that supplies commissaries, restaurants, and related clients. The market matching process involved an initial phone call, followed by an online meeting to further discuss the linkage and explore a potential supply arrangement.
Despite initial setbacks, such as failure of trial plantings due to heavy rains, LFAC has remained committed to meeting the volume and quality standards required by FAST. To address identified gaps in the production and technical knowledge, the AABH organized this capacity-building activity with Asst. Prof. Lance Irvin Elleva from the Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-CAFS).
Fifteen LFAC members were trained on topics such as: climate suitability, nursery preparation, transplanting, fertilizer management, integrated pest management, and postharvest handling. The training emphasized science-based methods, such as use of raised beds, organic inputs, and hot pepper-based pest deterrents.
A major highlight of the training was the hands-on use of UPLB’s soil test kit (STK), which equipped the farmers with practical skills in assessing soil nutrient levels and pH to guide appropriate fertilization strategies. While some participants initially experienced difficulties using the kit, they valued the opportunity to enhance their technical capacity and deepen their understanding of science-based soil management. The interactive session helped them gain confidence in interpreting test results and applying the findings to boost crop productivity. To support ongoing soil management activities, a test kit was officially turned over to LFAC for continued cooperative use.
Through sustained mentorship and strengthened market linkages, DOST-PCAARRD’s AABH aims to transform LFAC into a reliable and resilient agri-enterprise. This initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated approaches that combine technical training, market linkaging, and institutional support in developing sustainable agricultural enterprises.
