Kumprahan sa Merkado: Farm Tour at Cantipla

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Last July 10, 2010 I , together with my co-bloggers and other media people, was invited to a FARM TOUR – the farms of the Batallion Irrigators Association, Nonecio Arcayan, and Nerio Pador in Sitio Cantipla, Tuanan, Cebu City.

I kept on hearing the term “ORGANIC” while on our way and honestly, I had no idea what that word means as far as farming is concerned. When we were there, we were able to ask the farmers questions related to farming and stuffs. I was totally amazed with the place – lots of vegetables and root crops. The best part of that was the information I got. Below are some of the facts I learned:

Kumprahan SuperMerkado aims to establish itself as the only “bagsakan” for organically-grown produce in Cebu.

This, in effect, signifies Kumprahan’s serious intentions to become an all-organic community market, according to Kumprahan chief organizer Jon Ramos.

“We assure the public that our fruits and vegetables are organic,” Ramos said. “The people xan ask the farmers themselves.”

At Kumprahan, customers can buy their farm products at farmgate prices directly from the farmers on weekends. The “Grand Farmers’ Weekend” at Kumprahan is aimed at helping the farmers to earn more enough direct selling.

“We are also inviting people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and go organic,” Ramos said, referring to the healthful benefits that organic foods offers.

Most of us grew up with the knowledge that vegetables, in general, are good for our health, but never knew a word about organic.

So, what is organic? Organic literally means natural, but generally it refers to the growing, raising, or processing of food without pesticides, drugs, synthetic chemicals, or hormones, using methods that conserve natural resources and limit the effects of the environment.

Organic food has many benefits. It lowers cholesterol, prevents heart diseases and helps brin development, among many other healthful benefits.

To better promote healthy living among the Cebuano populace, Kumprahan saw the need to tap the media for an effective coordination with the Philippines Business for Social Progess(PBSP).

The PBSP, a non-profit foundation commited to the reduction of poverty in the country, has assisted these farmers through grants and loans.

ABOUT KUMPRAHAN SUPERMERKADO

Kumprahan SuperMerkado is an innovative community store, the first community market in the Visayas and Mindanao that provides productrs at merkado prices and freshness, yet at the convenience of a mall supermarket. It is located in Bridges Town Square, plaridel St., Alang-Alang, Mandue City.