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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - A strawberry farmer in Benguet is strengthening her family’s business by continuously seeking technical knowledge and training, combining traditional practices with modern farming techniques. MJ Morillo said that while she learned strawberry farming and processing from her parents-in-law, she continues to attend seminars and training sessions organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG), and the provincial government. “My mother-in-law has been growing and processing strawberries for decades and shared her knowledge with us, but I still attend seminars to gain more technical and scientific insights,” Morillo said in an interview Friday. Originally from Bicol, Morillo married a Benguet native and has been living in the province since 2022. She said she regularly attends training sessions, even those she has previously joined, because different speakers often share new ideas and approaches. “A training or lecture is never a waste of time because I always learn something new in every session,” she said in Filipino. Among the skills she has developed through training are improved methods for preserving strawberries, better packaging techniques, and more appealing product presentation for fresh berries sold to customers. Morillo also highlighted the importance of customer service, especially when assisting tourists who visit their farm for strawberry picking. She added that she is already passing on her knowledge to her six-year-old son, Savy, who enjoys helping guests during strawberry picking activities. “He enjoys assisting our visitors, showing them how to pick strawberries and which fruits are ready for harvest,” she said. Morillo noted that while strawberry farming can be profitable, extreme weather and calamities can lead to losses. However, knowledge gained from training programs helps farmers find ways to preserve harvested berries and extend their shelf life through value-added products. Their strawberry-picking site is called Barehand Garden Farm, while their processed products are marketed under the brand Fresh Fusion. She also sells “Le Jar” products, which mainly consist of low-sugar strawberry preserves. Morillo hopes that continued improvement in their farming and processing practices could eventually open opportunities for exporting their strawberries abroad. Currently, fresh strawberries are sold at prices ranging from PHP400 to PHP600 per kilogram depending on the variety. Meanwhile, berries picked through the “pick-and-pay” experience typically cost between PHP700 and PHP800 per kilogram. Municipal Agriculturist Nida Organo said strawberries remain a key attraction in La Trinidad, drawing tourists who want to experience strawberry picking firsthand. “Strawberries are the trademark of our town. Many tourists visit not only to buy them but also to enjoy the strawberry-picking experience,” Organo said. She added that farmers also produce various strawberry-based products such as wine, dried candies, beverage infusions, cakes, and pastries to increase product value and extend shelf life. Organo said the local government, with funding support from the Department of Agriculture, is working with Benguet State University to ensure the production of quality planting materials. Research on new strawberry varieties that can thrive in the area is also ongoing to sustain the province’s reputation as the country’s strawberry capital.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A strawberry farmer in Benguet is strengthening her family’s business by continuously seeking technical knowledge and training, combining traditional practices with modern farming techniques.

MJ Morillo said that while she learned strawberry farming and processing from her parents-in-law, she continues to attend seminars and training sessions organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG), and the provincial government.

“My mother-in-law has been growing and processing strawberries for decades and shared her knowledge with us, but I still attend seminars to gain more technical and scientific insights,” Morillo said in an interview Friday.

Originally from Bicol, Morillo married a Benguet native and has been living in the province since 2022. She said she regularly attends training sessions, even those she has previously joined, because different speakers often share new ideas and approaches.

“A training or lecture is never a waste of time because I always learn something new in every session,” she said in Filipino.

Among the skills she has developed through training are improved methods for preserving strawberries, better packaging techniques, and more appealing product presentation for fresh berries sold to customers.

Morillo also highlighted the importance of customer service, especially when assisting tourists who visit their farm for strawberry picking.

She added that she is already passing on her knowledge to her six-year-old son, Savy, who enjoys helping guests during strawberry picking activities.

“He enjoys assisting our visitors, showing them how to pick strawberries and which fruits are ready for harvest,” she said.

Morillo noted that while strawberry farming can be profitable, extreme weather and calamities can lead to losses. However, knowledge gained from training programs helps farmers find ways to preserve harvested berries and extend their shelf life through value-added products.

Their strawberry-picking site is called Barehand Garden Farm, while their processed products are marketed under the brand Fresh Fusion. She also sells “Le Jar” products, which mainly consist of low-sugar strawberry preserves.

Morillo hopes that continued improvement in their farming and processing practices could eventually open opportunities for exporting their strawberries abroad.

Currently, fresh strawberries are sold at prices ranging from PHP400 to PHP600 per kilogram depending on the variety. Meanwhile, berries picked through the “pick-and-pay” experience typically cost between PHP700 and PHP800 per kilogram.

Municipal Agriculturist Nida Organo said strawberries remain a key attraction in La Trinidad, drawing tourists who want to experience strawberry picking firsthand.

“Strawberries are the trademark of our town. Many tourists visit not only to buy them but also to enjoy the strawberry-picking experience,” Organo said.

She added that farmers also produce various strawberry-based products such as wine, dried candies, beverage infusions, cakes, and pastries to increase product value and extend shelf life.

Organo said the local government, with funding support from the Department of Agriculture, is working with Benguet State University to ensure the production of quality planting materials.

Research on new strawberry varieties that can thrive in the area is also ongoing to sustain the province’s reputation as the country’s strawberry capital.

NPO News Team | Philippines News Agency – PR