Power, water rates hinder agri, fishery development

by Ben Serrano
SURIGAO City- Because electricity and water supply systems are vital component in the development of efficient storage system of all agricultural products, livestock and fisheries in Caraga Region including productivity problem of the region’s agricultural produce, the continuing rise of electricity and water rates stunned growth and development of agri sector in the region.

The power and water supply problem issue have been the center of discussion of the on-going 13th Annual general membership meeting and training conference of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines held here in Surigao City scheduled June 3-6, 2015

Growing need for affordable and sustaining power and water supply system not only in Caraga Region but in the entire country were also discussed

The four day event was attended by some 200 members and officials of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (Ccap) from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and graced by no less than Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jose C. Reaño and representative from United States Department of Agriculture.

Officials and personnel from NGO Winrock International which implemented the Philippine Cold Chain Project also attended that annual event of Ccap. Ccap is a key partner in the Philippine Cold Chain Project, a four-year project funded by the USDA Food for Progress Program and implemented by Winrock International which aims to improve production, handling and marketing of high value perishable food products in the entire Caraga Region.

Philippine Cold Chain Project is first piloted here in Caraga Region, as it envisioned a progressive Caraga Region with an empowered agricultural producer to yield an improved quality and high value of agricultural products that will enable them to participate in national and international trade.

It worked directly with agricultural cooperatives and groups, agricultural producers including farmers and others, and the agri-business owners in meat, fish, and horticultural products in Caraga Region to achieve a more profitable market while maintaining freshness and quality.

Cold Chain is a system of preserving perishable agriculture products using controlled temperature controlled supply chain thus decreasing agricultural losses.

But Jim Orprecio, Deputy Chief of Party of Winrock-PCCP and Anthony Dizon, Ccap National President admitted during press conference in time of the holding of the 13th Annual Ccap General Assembly that rising cost of power and water rates especially in Butuan City which is the capital of Caraga Region and some other areas in the region created stumbling block of the project.