BENGUET Governor Melchor Diclas is urging investors to look into investing into tea grown in the Cordillera Administrative Region, citing its appropriate climate and established agricultural sector.
Diclas has asked the Filipino-Chinese business community, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), foreign investors from China, and all other entrepreneurs to invest in tea production ventures in his region.
“Once the tea production strengthens in our region, this would greatly help in poverty alleviation, environmental protection of rolling terrains, and boost our future ecotourism,” said Diclas.
Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), also considered the inclusion of the tea in the list of high-value crops in the country, citing a feasibility study on the growing of tea by Benguet researcher Dominique Molintas.
“On the DA side, maybe we can include tea in the list of high-value crops if it is included in the Benguet Provincial Industry Development Plans,” said Panganiban.
“The DA-BPI has five research centers around the country where we can try tea varieties needed by the market. Once we find out the needed and appropriate varieties, we could upscale tea farming in selected areas,” said Panganiban.
Dr. Cecilio Pedro, FFCCCII president, expressed his full support for modernization of Philippine agriculture, including the development of tea plantations, as did China Embassy Second Secretary Bai Xun and Attache Cao Mengdi .
