Bigger Tobacco Yield Seen in February's Harvest

Source from:  sunstar.com.ph 01/10/2007

THE Province of Benguet is expected to top its high-grade tobacco produce by at least 50 percent next month when the third batch of the crop is harvested in four towns of the province with Barangay Tabaan Norte, Tuba as the major producer. Last year, the Tabaan farm yielded 60,000 kilograms of high-grade tobacco, a 33-percent markup when the crop was introduced in the town in 2004 and first harvested in February 2005. This year, the yield would be even bigger with farmers from three other towns have started to grow their own. Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch Matthew Diong, executive vice president of the Trans Manila Inc. (TMI), earlier said production of the crop will continue to rise as the local farmers gain more experience with the help of Phillip Morris Philippines Inc. (PMPI) which provided training of local farmers. More areas in Benguet are also now used for tobacco farming as an alternate and high yielding crop. Farmers in Itogon, Sablan, and Kapangan are now into tobacco planting which serve as alternate produce to vegetable. The crop is expected to see market with vegetable meeting a strong challenge from imported produces from China and Australia. PMPI has also assured to buy the Benguet tobacco, which is "so far the best being produced in the country." Chris Nelson of PMPI, during the Adivay celebration last November, assured local tobacco growers that their produce will be purchased by PMPI for its quality. He hoped that Benguet farmers also realize that tobacco is a good alternative crop. Diong said TMI, with PMPI's support, wants to use close to 500 hectares of Benguet highland farms for tobacco growing to bring the province closer to the 1,000,000 kg. minimum yield to entitle the province to a share from the excise tax. Republic Act (RA) 7171 mandates that 15 percent of the P23-billion tobacco excise tax shall be given to tobacco-producing local government units (LGUs). Enditem