Tramline links farming
community to market

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija - A big boost was made for the agriculture sector in this far-flung Nueva Ecija municipality with the establishment of a tramline system that is serving an estimated 50 farming families, according to the local chief executive here.

Mayor Luvimindo Otic, just like for the highland farmers in the Cordilleras, a tramline system that is being used to transport agricultural products from this mountainous town was a dream come true for them.

"Yun ang matagal na nilang pinangarap at kailangang-kailangan nila talaga ang ganitong teknolohiyang sa aming lugar," he said.

A product of collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 3 (DA_RFU3), the provincial government of Nueva Ecija and local government of Carranglan, the tramline was officially turned over to farmers late last year, Otic said.

The tramline was constructed in a vegetable-producing area with aggregate production area of 50 hectares.

Ricardo Cachuela, executive director of BPRE, said the technology is designed to help farmers who have a hard time transporting their produce to the nearest roads.

Called Carranglan Agricultural Tramline, the transport system is cost-effective, considering the huge financial requirement in building roads in the area.

Felimon Lucas, village chief of Capintalan, Carranglan which hosts the tramline said his constituents are blessed with the project.

"Mababawasan din ang hauling at labor cost at mapananatili ang kalidad ng produkto dahil mas mabilis na ang pagdadala ng mga gulay at prutas," Luca added. - Jojo de Guzman