Noodle factory seen to further improve vegetable industry of Benguet

BAGUIO CITY, March 25 (PNA) -- An official of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday said the proposed P10-million noodle factory to be built in Benguet Province will further boost the vegetable industry in the area which became a very viable export since five years ago.

NEDA assistant regional director Leon Dacanay said the factory will help the industry in terms of more stabilized prices of vegetables, generation of local jobs and assurance of ready market for farmers' bumper harvests.

Records show that it was Dacanay in 2005 which made the assessment that a factory which makes use of the great volume of vegetables grown yearly in Benguet will further fortify the excellent agriculture sector in the locality.

In that year, the NEDA official likened the establishment of a tomato paste factory in Ilocos Norte in the late 1970's when farmers were able to sell their produce even during the peak vegetable season.

Records show that tomato is so adopted to the soil and climate of that province that during summer, tomato farmers sell their hundreds of tons of tomatoes at bargain prices because of the oversupply.