The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it provided various equipment to farmers in Labo, Camarines Norte, who are into vinegar and soy sauce production.
DAR Camarines Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ross Olayres recently led the turnover of an acetator set composed of jacketed kettle with a 40-liter capacity, including high-pressure burner and a 2-horsepower compressor to the Daguit Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (Darbo) based in Labo town.
Olayres also turned over a digital pH meter, large plastic containers and blue carbon containers, and one unit of double-burner gas stove with liquefied petroleum gas cylinder tank, large casseroles, working table, hot-air gun, and seals and caps, costing around P200,000.
The DAR official said Darbo has the potential to expand its operation with the huge demand for the locally produced all-natural coco vinegar and soy sauce in the province, which was cited by the Asian Development Bank Review Mission during its visit in Camarines Norte last year.
“The DAR finds no reason for the recipient to slacken off the production and halt their microenterprise venture considering that even a sack of sugar and 30 liters mother vinegar have been provided to the organization to instantly produce quality all-natural vinegar and soy sauce,” Olayres said in a statement.
The members of Darbo have been provided with free technology-transfer trainings to enhance the vinegar producers’ production through the proper use of the acetator set.
They were also trained on the latest farming innovations for coconut to ensure production of quality raw materials from their farms.