Cres Ian Lorenzo
ALFONSO CASTAÑEDA, Nueva Vizcaya — Vegetable farming in this upland town is becoming a sustainable agribusiness activity, lifting growers from low yields and high costs to high-volume production and direct market access.
The shift is being seen among members of the Alfonso Castañeda Vegetable Growers Association (Alcavega), a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered group formed in 2017 with 34 members.
Ferdinand Cortez of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) said targeted support through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and initiatives under the “White Revolution” is helping the association convert small-scale farming into commercial-scale operations.
Cortez said interventions came in phases starting in early 2023 to address the full production cycle.
The program provided climate-resilient vegetable seeds, soil conditioners, and organic fertilizers to improve yields. It also delivered post-harvest facilities, protective structures such as greenhouses, and farm equipment to cut spoilage, reduce manual labor, and extend shelf life.
Farmers also underwent continuous field schools on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), pest and disease management, and nutrient scheduling to improve quality and efficiency.
Alcavega president Zaldy Agustin said production grew sharply after the support arrived.
“The interventions came in phases in early 2023, as volume in production increased from 415.80 kilograms (kg) in 2022 to 70,453.04 kg. The interventions helped the association a lot,” he said.
Agustin added that in 2024, it was more than double: 250,411.50 kg. For 2025, production logged a 67-percent increase to 325,411.50 kg.
For the first semester of 2026 alone, the group harvested 293,002.32 kg from January to June, already nearing its full-year total in 2025.
White Revolution pushes integrated farming
Cortez said the White Revolution complements HVCDP by promoting integrated farming — combining crop production with livestock, dairy, and organic soil enrichment.
Through natural composting and nutrient recycling, farmers reduced dependence on costly chemical fertilizers while improving soil health for the next cropping seasons.
The White Revolution is a major initiative under HVCDP aimed at modernizing vegetable and high-value crop production. Its goal is to ensure a year-round, climate-resilient supply of affordable vegetables and to soften price spikes caused by typhoons and droughts.
In Alfonso Castañeda, the approach has helped stabilize production in an elevated terrain often vulnerable to weather disruptions and market isolation.
Direct market links raise farmgate prices
The surge in volume is translating into higher incomes, according to the DA.
“The sharp rise in production volume has directly elevated the economic status of Alcavega members. With consistent, high-grade produce, the association has strengthened its presence in major trading hubs and regional markets,” said Carol Pasion Albay, DA Region 2 HVCDP focal person.
DA market-linking programs helped farmers bypass long layers of traders, securing fairer farmgate prices.
Buyers now include institutional clients such as Jollibee, high-profile commissaries in Metro Manila, grocery outlets, and incoming buyers such as NutriAsia and MicroAsia.
Blueprint for rural agribusiness growth
Cortez said the experience of Alfonso Castañeda shows how targeted regional support, mechanization, training, and market linkage can transform vegetable farming from subsistence activity to agribusiness.
Once burdened by high input costs, post-harvest losses and limited market reach, Alcavega members are now sustaining bulk supply to major trading hubs.
With production continuing to climb, the partnership between DA-RFO2 and the association is emerging as a model for agricultural resilience.
Cortez said that this demonstrates that focused interventions and sustainable practices can drive lasting rural prosperity and strengthen the vegetable value chain in Cagayan Valley.
