Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON included the San Luis Farmers’ Association among selected farmers’ groups to participate in SARI technology pilot tests in the region.
An interview shoot was conducted on July 3, 2020 in San Luis, Batangas, to formally introduce the association, and in turn, introduce its members with SARI technology.
SARI technology is an online e-commerce platform system primarily designed to create links between farmers and traders, consumers through seamless information created by the monitoring of farm-to-market supply and the analysis of farmers’ ability to produce. In addition, the platform was also developed to access the position data of the nearest trucks for the transportation of goods via an integrated dispatch system.
According to Municipal Agriculturist Rinkoh Hernandez, “It is a privilege to be chosen as one of the first farmers’ groups in CALABARZON to venture into the use of SARI technology, realizing that it offers an additional, open opportunity for farmers to market their produce.”
Mr. Hernandez also stated that the weather forecast feature of the technology is beneficial to farmers and the local government, as it can help them respond quickly to severe weather disruptions that could cause damages and losses to farmers.
The President of the San Luis Farmers’ Association, Mr. Roberto Cuasay, expressed high expectations for the pilot test. “This endeavor serves as a humbling opportunity for us to learn new and creative ways of selling our products from farm to consumers,” he said. • (SDAL, DA-RAFIS)
[Photos Courtesy of Mr. Bob Cuasay and Ms. Me-an Sabile Balmes of High Value Crops Development Program]