Two agrarian reform beneficiary organizations to open own bakeries

Urdaneta City, Pangasinan – More income and employment opportunities await members of farmer groups Calapugan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARe.Co) of Natividad and Maresma Multipurpose Cooperative (MMPC) of Balungao. The two Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) are set to open and operate their own bakeries. The holistic livelihood kit is awarded to them under the partnership of the DAR, Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (PANC), and the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

This week, officers of CaRe.Co and MMPC signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that signified their rights and obligations as beneficiaries of the PANC Project Farina: Empowering Bakers in North Luzon (DAR).

The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., through the PANC, is scheduled to deliver the livelihood kit to each of the two ARBOs this semester. The kit will include an oven, stainless steel table, bread rack, bread showcase, proofer with cover, spiral dough mixer, cake mixer, and ten bags of Pilmico flour. The kit is worth over ₱311 thousand.

In addition to the equipment, members of the cooperatives will receive technical assistance and bakery management training that will teach them how to sustain and expand their business.

Both the CaRe.Co and MMPC are previous beneficiaries of the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, which not only helped them develop a product, but which also enhanced their processing center, awarded processing equipment, and provided capacity development to members and officers. With the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, and the respective local government units in the implementation of the VLFED project, CaRe.Co and MMPC have become known producers of cassava chips and squash noodles, respectively.

The incoming bakery business will not only augment the groups’ incomes, but also give their members employment, and resident farmers a sure market for their produce.

This partnership is part of the Department’s efforts to provide holistic and sustainable support services to ARBOs in agrarian reform communities.

The MOA is signed by PARPO II