Kabayan farmers gain new market at Camp John Hay

BAGUIO CITY — Fresh cauliflower, broccoli and tomatoes from the highland municipality of Kabayan in Benguet will soon be sold directly at Camp John Hay under a new partnership aimed at expanding market access for farmers and strengthening agricultural recovery efforts.

The initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 2 between the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) and the municipal government of Kabayan for the implementation of the Vegetable Recovery and Marketing Assistance Project, according to a statement issued by JHMC.

Under the agreement, Camp John Hay will serve as a temporary marketing venue where farmers can sell produce directly to consumers.

The project also includes support for vegetable recovery and redistribution activities, logistical coordination and other measures intended to improve market efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.

The partnership seeks to promote sustainable food systems while creating additional economic opportunities for farming communities in Benguet, one of the country’s major vegetable-producing provinces.

Kabayan Mayor Rex Aquisan said the collaboration would help strengthen farmers’ access to markets while providing consumers with fresh, locally grown produce.

“This collaboration strengthens our farmers’ access to markets and ensures that consumers enjoy fresh, locally grown produce,” Aquisan said in the statement.

JHMC President and Chief Executive Officer Manjit Singh Reandi said the initiative aligns with efforts to promote sustainability and community development within Camp John Hay.

“By opening Camp John Hay as a venue for agricultural recovery, we advance sustainability and empower communities,” Reandi said.

JHMC said the agreement supports its broader mandate of transforming Camp John Hay into an investment destination while contributing to economic and social development initiatives in the Cordillera region.

The memorandum will remain in force until terminated through mutual agreement by both parties.

(Reporting based on information released by the John Hay Management Corporation)