In a statement, the DOST 11 said the funding is given for technologies and interventions such as transport packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, postharvest treatment, semi-processing, and design as well as branding.
DOST-ITDI Director, Dr. Annabelle V. Briones said any packaging system should complement the appropriate logistical operation to ensure that the products reach their prime quality with the most economical cost.
"Complementing and improving the facilities and services of the DFTC as a techno-transfer hub, not only to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID -19 but more so, to contribute to the food security in Region 11,” she said.
Funded under the DOST Smart Food Value Chain Program, this project aims to upgrade the existing post-harvest and packaging technology of fruits of vegetables at DFTC to reduce its handling damage and spoilage by 20 percent.
Through DFTC, farmers will be able to directly sell their products to supermarkets, hotels, convenience stores, and fast-food chains and increase their income by 20 to 30 percent through enhancing the quality of products and reducing spoilage of whole and semi-processed commodities like mango, pomelo, papaya, lettuce, broccoli, and carrots.
On January 18, DOST-ITDI with DOST 11 signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government of Davao City for the implementation of the DOST-DFTC Project via Zoom platform.
During the virtual ceremonial signing, DOST 11 Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales, said the power and value of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI), specifically the employment of these in the agriculture sector will help farmers who were badly affected by the pandemic.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte showed her support for this initiative stating that this will not only help Davao City but also the neighboring regions whose economies largely depend on agriculture.
The farmers, represented by Macabatug Cooperative Federation Chairperson Mr. Nelson V. Tagud, also expressed their gratitude and commitment to this collaboration. Through this Project, the farmers will continue to deliver safe agricultural products of good quality to the market.
In 2019, the Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) and Davao City government, jointly opened the P74.8 million DFTC in Barangay Daliao, Toril which serves as a major drop-off point of various agricultural produce and trading center that directly links farmers to the buyers.
Photo from DOST 11
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