Media CenterCRS Assists Filipino Farmers' Transition into Successful Entrepreneurs

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is partnering with the Filipino Department of Agrarian Reform to assist farmers as they grow their businesses.  Through assistance with market research and hands-on training, farmers are tailoring their crops for today's buyers and substantially increasing profits. The Philippines' Department of Agrarian Reform has more:

The agro-enterprise experts from CRS shared with the agrarian reform beneficiaries the technical know-how of producing chilli peppers and other vegetables. The lead growers also underwent a 4-month intensive training on market study, product packaging, cash flows, and the basics on business marketing and bookkeeping.

Farmer Roberto Dizon of Barangay Motrico attests to the benefits of growing chillies. “The capital is cheaper and after two months, the chillies are ready for harvest and selling. The most I love about chillies is that it takes about 8-10 months before the plant dies. While it’s alive, you continue harvesting chillies every 4-5 days. That means I earn money 5-6 times in a month!”

Dizon said that in one harvest, his 500 sq. m. plot yielded 25 kilos of chillies. “At P160 per kilo of chillies, I earn P4,000. So, if I were harvesting 6 times in a month, It would earn me P24,000. Because of this very good turnout, I’m now planning on expanding this business by planting more chillies and adding string beans and bitter gourd (ampalaya) to my farm,” Dizon added.