The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking for ways to help vegetable farmers minimize losses as persistent rains in Benguet damage crops, disrupt trading, and weaken demand for fresh produce.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the DA regional office to immediately assess the situation and take the necessary steps to assist vegetable farmers in addressing challenges caused by weather disruptions and market constraints.
The directive comes after Chinese cabbage and carrots were reportedly discarded along the Labey–Lacamen Road in Tublay, Benguet, highlighting the mounting pressure on highland vegetable growers facing production risks and weak market conditions.
DA-Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan said that upon verification, the Chinese cabbage was traced to a farmer from Gambang, Bakun, who harvested 2.5 tons of Chinese cabbage on August 13, 2026. The produce was transported to La Trinidad but remained in a long queue for two (2) nights and two (2) days before entering the trading center. Due to continuous rains and the vegetables being loaded while wet, the cabbage developed signs of rotting (lusaw) and became unfit for market. The truck was eventually pulled out, and the cabbage was unloaded in a vacant lot near Polig’s farm, where passersby and tourists could take the vegetables for free.
DA-CAR asked the farmer involved in the cabbage disposal to make his remaining harvest available for possible inclusion in its Kadiwa initiatives. However, the farmer said his unharvested potatoes, Chinese cabbage, and carrots were already showing signs of deterioration due to the continuous rains this month.
The carrot farmer, meanwhile, was traced to Amlimay, Buguias. He harvested 4 tons of carrots on August 11, 2026, and brought them to the trading center, where only 700 kilograms were sold by midday of August 12, 2026. The remaining carrots began showing signs of rotting, resulting in a lack of buyers.
About 200 kilograms were left at the trading post, while the remaining 3,100 kilograms were dumped along the Labey–Lacamen Road due to the deteriorating condition of the produce and the difficulty of transporting the heavy load along slippery roads.
Overall, the two documented cases involved approximately 5.8 tons, or 5,800 kilograms, of vegetable losses. The reported losses were attributed to continuous rainfall, wet produce, prolonged queues and congestion at trading centers, reduced marketability, and deteriorating road conditions.
DA-CAR continues to expand market access through Kadiwa ng Pangulo, transport assistance, and institutional buyer linkages. In August, the agency assisted at least 46 farmer cooperatives and associations and facilitated the movement of 32.83 metric tons of vegetables through direct market channels for an estimated gross value of Php1.2 Million.
The recent losses underscore the need for faster logistics, stronger market linkages, and coordinated support programs to help Benguet farmers weather both climate and market challenges.
Meanwhile, available seed reserves are 1,551 packs of broccoli and carrots; 3,390 cans of cabbage, chinese cabbage, lettuce and pakchoi; and 505 packets value pack 6-in-1 salad mix vegetable seeds.
