The Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center in the Philippines has turned over a total of 13 greenhouses to farmers’ associations in Zaragoza, this province.

Karen Eloisa Barroga, deputy executive director for development of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), said on Friday three greenhouses were awarded on Wednesday to the Buklod ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Batitang (BNMB) farmers’ association and four to Ugat-Uhay Farmers’ Association (UUFA).

“This is in addition to the six greenhouses already turned over to them,” Barroga said in a social media post.

She encouraged the farmers to continue with their hard work, perseverance, and unity as a response to the trust KOPIA gave them.

“If your organizations are strong and united, more help will come. DA-PhilRice understands that farmers won’t thrive with rice farming alone, so we advocate adding vegetables to your farms to enhance your opportunities for a better life,” she said.

The farmers are planning to grow tomatoes, green pepper, and cucumber in the greenhouses.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kyuseong Lee, director of KOPIA Philippines Center, said the greenhouses will help raise farmers’ income.

“Let’s continue to work together to make this project successful so more farmers would benefit from it. Our country, through KOPIA, will continue to share its resources to uplift the farmers in this country,” Lee said.

Farmer-leaders Cresencio Marcos of BNMB and Reynaldo Mariano of UUFA thanked KOPIA for the greenhouses and pledged to use these wisely to boost their livelihood.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Zaragoza and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute through its Rice Business Innovations Systems (RiceBIS) program.

RiceBIS is currently assisting farmers in Barangay Mayamot and Barangay Batitang, both in Zaragoza in establishing agro-enterprises as an additional income source.

KOPIA is a program under the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, which aims to help increase the productivity and income of local farmers in its partner countries.

It has established centers in 15 countries including the Philippines. (PNA)