Farmgate price of tomatoes in Ilocos Norte drops to P5-P7 per kilo

The farmgate price of tomatoes in Ilocos Norte has dropped to P5–P7 per kilo due to oversupply, according to the Provincial Agricultural Office.

Because of this situation, some tomatoes were being fed to animals while others were being left to rot in the fields, Bernadette Reyes said in a report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Saturday.
 
Farmers have also reduced their production to minimize losses.
 
“Sana P10 pataas ang presyo para naman kumita kami,” said Ceferino Dannog, a farmer.
 
The Department of Agriculture and the provincial government suggested selling the tomatoes to wholesale buyers.
 
“What we’re really working on is the farmer cooperative na mayroon na pong kakayahan, eh sila na po mismo ang maging supplier sa ating mga retailer sa palengke,” said DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista.
 
She said this is also a way to protect the farmgate price of agricultural goods. 
 
“We want to protect the farmgate price na magkaroon ng floor price, but at the same time, to ensure na lahat ng kasali sa value chain ay tama lang ang margins,” she added. — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News