In pursuit of creating a more conducive policy for the highland vegetable industry, public and private stakeholders convened for the 2^nd Informing Policy and Practice (IPP) Forum on December 5, 2023, at the Everlasting Hall, BSU Research and Extension Building.

The forum underscored the issues regarding the highland vegetable value chain. It aimed to benchmark the experiences of Japanese and local stakeholders to come up with a more effective and inclusive policy.

Further, the forum aspires to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Finance Division Chief Andres Arnold W. Lampacan on behalf of the University President Felipe Salaing Comila, welcomed the participants and commended the noble purpose of the forum.

As a guest in the forum, Benguet Governor Hon. Melchor D. Diclas through his representative Mr. David Cabuten, and DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director Jennilyn M. Dawayan promised their unwavering assistance to the endeavor and encouraged further collaboration and partnerships.

Dawayan stressed the significance of policy in government duty performance and delivering timely and workable solutions to complex and evolving challenges and the role of research as the “stronghold of policy.”

Throughout the morning, speaker Yuki Sano of the University of Tokyo detailed the structure and conduct of vegetable marketing in Japan based on her current research theme and findings.

She discussed that the Japanese food supply chain determines the price of fruits and vegetables through auctions by determining competitive bids and offers between the seller, wholesalers, intermediate wholesalers, and authorized buyers. This aims to find the price of goods based on the supply and demand situation.

Sano further stated that while the current operation still lacks sufficient research data, she still believes that the operation is transparent and fair as the whole process is being recorded by the concerned Japanese government body and is being governed by the Japanese Wholesale Market Law.

After the discussion of Sano, VP for Business Affairs and Chief Operations Officer for the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) Norma P. Banania laid out the differences in operations, management, and farming practices of the Philippines and Japan.

Banania elaborated on the necessary and critical development needed in food sorting, grading, and handling, among others if the farmers of Benguet are to keep up with the advancement seen in their Japanese counterparts.  

She explained that the BAPTC is not meant to be monopolized by a few farmers or traders but for all Benguet farmers. The BAPTC CEO asked for the farmers’ cooperation toward a unified endeavor and aim. “Let us always remember that in progress, we have to include everyone,” she said.

Next, Furuichi Shingo of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) talked about the vegetable price stabilization system in Japan and the potential local and technical solutions for the Philippines on its vegetable price stabilization.

During the discussion, two major technical solutions were proposed which are long-term harvest, especially for tomatoes, and the use of humidifying refrigeration to preserve vegetables without deteriorating their quality through a maintained environment.

Part of his presentation also concerns the strategic location of the Metro Manila Wholesale Markets as compared to the Ota Market. The Ota Market, occupying an area of 400,000 square meters, is considered as Japan’s largest. It is situated near Tokyo Harbor, Haneda Airport, and in a logistic advantage towards Narita Airport. Vegetables, fruits, and flowers are sold in wholesale in the said market where transaction, price formation, and adjustment of supply and demand are specified.

Hon. Ruben E. Paoad of the Benguet Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Agriculture seconded the mentioned points for amelioration. He emphasized the value of research expressing his intent to foster and continue research partnership with BSU to ascertain that the deliberated solutions and strategies like adapting and adopting a new technology or system will materialize.

Paoad also requested for a detailed study of the operational and existing legal policies in the Philippines, saying that not every approach is applicable in our country.

Mary An J. Altaki of the BSU College of Agriculture ended the morning session with her talk on the analysis of the shorter food value chain. This was followed by a brief response and sharing from the President of Peakless Mountain Farmer’s Association Jasper Cabitna and Agro-Digital PH CEO Henry James Sison.

During the afternoon program, five speakers and discussants also took turns sharing their research results, community of practices, and other information on their designated topic.

They are: Pansigedan Advocacy Cooperative (PAC) member-advocates Rhea Loncio and May Crisline Gumihid who shared their lessons learned in facilitating the marketing activities of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Organic Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs); BSU Horticultural Research and Training Institute (HORTI) Director Leila Mary A. Ayban who spoke about the usage and advantage of using cool innovation as post-harvest storage; Benguet Cold Chain Project Manager Shellanie B. Molitas whose discussion revolved around the case of LGU-managed Cold Chain Project Operation; Cristine B. Esnara of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) CAR who imparted the learning sites for agriculture with the aim towards innovative agriculture extension modality in the region; and Doweno C. Santiago Jr. also from DA-CAR who shared the current struggles, issues, and situation of the Filipino farmers.

In line with this, four discussants also took turns imparting their opinions, reflections, and additional sharing. They are CordNet President Cristina Segnaken-Aban, Timpuyog dagiti Umanamong iti BSU Internal Guarantee System (TUBIGS) Inc. President Rina Mat-an, Casmir Ligat of the BSU Office of Extension Services (OES), and representatives from Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) and MGAPA.

To wrap up the whole-day activity, an action commitment workshop where the various stakeholders concerned presented their deliberations on research areas, extensions, and policies and ordinances that should be considered and prioritized. Their presentations concluded with their policy commitment responses.

The first IPP Forum transpired in September 2022.