MANILA, Philippines — Farmers of Nagcarlan, Laguna are now assured of reduced commodity transport costs after Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala turned over to them a tramline system costing P6 million.

Alcala said the tramline would cut hauling and transport expenses from a low of P1,000 per hectare to as high as P1,500 per hectare since they have to use horses in bringing down their farm products.

Also present during the turnover was Rep. Ma. Evita Arago-Gapit of the third district of Laguna.

As a result, 74 farmers in upland Barangay Bukal, Nagcarlan will benefit from the system, which covers 1.8 kilometers, since it would permit them to bring their produce faster to the markets, which would benefit direct buyers since they can sell their goods at less cost.

The Nagcarlan tramline is among the 106 systems the Department of Agriculture (DA) will establish through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) in Regions 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) this year.

This system is an alternative means of transport for farmers who do not have easy access to road networks due to ravines, rivers and dense vegetation in upland areas.

The tramline uses cables and pulleys to transport agricultural products and farm inputs.

Alcala also requested the local officials who attended the ceremony to look into the possibility of establishing a packaging house in the area that could become a "bagsakan" center.

“We ask for the cooperation and support of the farmer-beneficiaries and the local government unit (LGU) for the success of the project. This is a part of our program to strengthen the economy of the upland community through a comprehensive and technically precise upland agricultural development blueprint. At the heart of our vision for the uplands is a strong partnership between national and local governments, and between the government and other sectors,” he stressed.

He also directed DA Region 4-A executive director Abelardo R. Bragas to provide technical and marketing assistance to the farmers and link them to trading posts and other markets in Calabarazon and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Bragas will take charge of the special training for farmers on conventional farming or organic farming.

“This way, the farmers can learn how to make their own organic fertilizers, save for their farm inputs and help maintain the productivity of their farm soil,” Alcala said.