La trinidad: The Benguet State University (BSU) has submitted a plan to the town's Strawberry Council to transform the local strawberry farm into an ecotourism site. The proposal aims to integrate the farm's agricultural nature with ecotourism while avoiding infrastructure development.
According to Philippines News Agency, BSU President Dr. Kenneth Laruan stated that the proposal has been submitted to potential partner agencies for funding, adhering to the Department of Agriculture's declaration of the area, locally referred to as "swamp," as a protected zone for agriculture and ecotourism. BSU is seeking PHP20 million in funding from these agencies to support the project.
Dr. Laruan highlighted the significant strawberry production by BSU's area, which is managed by the university's Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension and the Office of Business Affairs. These offices manage the Sariling Sikap group, consisting of 206 employees, and the Farmers Cooperative.
Municipal Agriculturist Nida Organo reported that 519 farmers are involved in strawberry cultivation in the swamp area, working on 39 hectares of land that yield 1,775 metric tons of strawberries. The introduction of farm-tourism activities and processing has positively impacted the farmers' income.
Mayor Roderick Awingan voiced his support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance the farmers' conditions and highlighting the community's role in protecting the area from flooding during the rainy season. He stressed the importance of preserving the town's identity through collective efforts.
